Article by : India Science Wire
Indian Tech Startup Avay Biosciences launched a state-of the-art 3D Bioprinter called “Mito Plus” that was capable of printing human tissues.
BIo-printing is a technique for tissue replication that supports or nurtures living cells. This technique can be used as an alternative to organ transplantation. It is possible to create functional human tissues like skin using specially engineered biomaterials and bio-inks.
An indigenous state-of-the-art 3D Bio-Printer ‘Mito Plus’ launched by Indian Tech Startup Avay Biosciences has been found to be helpful in printing human tissues. At Bengaluru Tech summit, held November 16-18, 2022, Mito Plus was unveiled. The prototype of Mito Plus, which was designed and built by the Indian Institute of Science (IISc), Bangalore. It is the highest-ranking science research institute in NIRF Rankings.
Mito Plus is a 3D printer that uses inputs from the prototype developed at IISc’s research laboratory of Dr. Bikramjit Bazu. The advanced version was created by Avay, an IIT Madras alumnus. It is among the top 3D printers in India. Avay Biosciences offers a complete range of hardware and software development to provide end-to-end Bio 3D printing solutions for India.
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“MITO plus is an advanced bio-printer at its price range which can be used to print a wide range of biomaterials. The printer features an integrated UV curing, HEPA filter, temperature control and other useful features. This allows the print-head as well as the print-bed to be heated to 80 degrees celsius, and can be cooled down to four degrees celsius. MITO plus can be used for pharmaceutical drug discovery and drug testing applications, it can also be used in cancer biology and cosmetology applications,” said Manish Amin, Chief Executive Officer, Avay Biosciences.
The bio-printer works in the same way that other 3D printers, but with one important difference: Instead of delivering metal, plastic or powders, bioprinters deposit layers of biomaterials that may contain living cells to create complex structures such as skin tissue and liver tissue. The science and technology of 3D bioprinting offer a unique gift for humanity. But, there are still many problems to solve.
“There is still a long way to go before we can create fully functioning and viable organs for human transplant,” Amin explained.
“We are working on having our printers develop skin – the most common type of layered tissue that could help victims of severe burns. These tissues can also be used for toxicology screens and other testing mechanisms,” said Suhridh Sundaram, Chief Operating Officer, Avay Biosciences.
Bio-printing typically uses polymers that attempt to replicate the extracellular matrix (ECM), native to a specific cell. Because future research is dependent on the availability of affordable bio-printers, it is vital that they are available. Bioprinting, which can be used with animal cells, can also be used to make artificial meat. This is a space-age food vision.
Apart from premier Research and Development institutions such as IIT Madras and IISc Bangalore, the tech startup’s customers and collaborators include the Institute of Chemical Technology (ICT), Mumbai; National Institute of Pharmaceutical Education And Research (NIPER), Hyderabad; and BITS Pilani (Goa Campus).