
08/10/2025
In Sweden, scientists are developing 3D-bioprinted tissues and organs using stem cells and special bioinks โ materials that carry living cells in printable form. At Lund University, researchers created a bioink combining stem cells and lung-derived extracellular matrix that lets them print small airways. These printed tubes are biocompatible and support growth of new blood vessels. ๏ฟผ
Meanwhile, teams at Chalmers University and University of Gothenburg have successfully implanted 3D-printed human cartilage in mice. They mixed cartilage cells, stem cells, and a hydrogel based on nanocellulose. Over time, the tissue began to function like natural cartilage, showing good growth and vascularization. ๏ฟผ
Thereโs also work on arterial grafts: a startup named Verigraft recently received funds to build patient-specific 3D-printed arteries. These grafts are designed to match a personโs own tissue to reduce rejection risks. ๏ฟผ
Swedenโs efforts show that while full-organ transplants via bioprinting are not yet available, many of the building blocks โ bioink, vascularization, stem cell integration โ are advancing fast. If these technologies keep improving, 3D-printed organs for transplant may become a reality in the coming years.