Collaborative Fundamental Research for Bioprinting of Skin Constructs Applied to Chronic Wound Treatment

The overall objective of the project is to design and develop new advanced precision technology for the additive manufacturing of functional skin constructs that constitute a sustainable therapy for treating chronic wounds. To achieve this, based on the capabilities of the proposal leader (BIOCRUCES BIZKAIA) and the participating partners (BIODONOSTIA, TECNALIA, BIOMAT, UPV/EHU, BIOLOGÍA CELULAR UPV/EHU and VICOMTECH), the B4H project will combine a series of fundamental interdisciplinary research tasks and activities in areas such as: computer engineering, biopolymers, chemistry, stem cells, medicine, advanced animal models of healing and the healthcare regulatory environment. Specifically, the specific objectives of the B4H project are as follows: 

- Design and formulation of bioinks based on cellular and acellular hydrogels, with printability, structural integrity, biocompatibility, and potential to create new tissue. 

- Development of software-controlled bioprinting systems for skin constructs based on different assembly patterns of B4H bioinks, providing the regenerative elements necessary to heal each specific type of chronic wound in a personalised manner. 

- Preparation of a dossier with the technical data sheets for molecular and functional characterisation and the printability parameters of the different B4H bioinks, following the scientific recommendations established by the European directives regulating advanced therapies. 

In this way, B4H will represent a significant technological leap forward from the current state of the art in chronic wound management, which is based on the use of traditional advanced dressings. The B4H project will provide dermis equivalents with therapeutic properties that can be adjusted to the characteristics of the chronic wound.