Blood, bone, and 3D printing: bringing it all together

The science behind biocooperative materials

When a bone is injured, the body begins a repair process that starts with the formation of a regenerative hematoma (RH). This temporary structure forms when blood clots, creating a microenvironment packed with cells, proteins, and growth factors that guide tissue repair. This clot contains essential cells and molecules that guide tissue repair by stimulating cell growth, controlling inflammation, and promoting blood vessel formation.

The synthetic peptides they use interact with blood components to form a gel-like material. This gel retains the natural behaviours of an RH, such as activating platelets and releasing growth factors, but is stronger and more adaptable. It can be shaped into different forms and even printed into custom designs, making it suitable for a range of medical needs.

A personalised approach to bone healing

One of the most significant advantages of this material, which has been published in Advance Materials, is that it’s made from the patient’s own blood, this reduces the risk of rejection and ensures the material is fully biocompatible. For instance, in tests, researchers demonstrated its effectiveness by repairing critical-sized bone defects in animal models using the animals’ own blood. This “personalised” approach minimises risks of rejection or adverse immune responses while promoting healing from within.

One of the key achievements of this material is its ability to replicate normal blood-clotting behaviours, such as the activation of platelets, secretion of growth factors, and recruitment of healing cells. These processes were shown to occur even after the material was processed and shaped for use, ensuring its effectiveness in real-world applications. What’s more, the material’s ability to adapt to individual needs means it could offer personalised solutions for different injuries. For example, its 3D-printability could allow it to be customised to fit complex or irregular bone defects.

Beyond bone repair

Beyond bone repair, the potential of this biocooperative material bleeds into other applications in the area of regenerative medicine. The same principles could be used to create scaffolds for wound healing, tissue regeneration, organ repair, or nerve regeneration. The ability to harness the natural healing properties of blood, combined with the flexibility of 3D printing, opens up a wide range of possibilities in regenerative medicine.

The ability to harness blood’s natural healing properties also makes this approach more accessible. Blood is inexpensive and can be obtained easily in clinical settings, potentially reducing costs and simplifying procedures compared to traditional grafting techniques or synthetic materials.

What’s next?

While the technology shows great promise, further research is needed to refine its clinical applications. Factors like patient variability, long-term stability, and scalability must be addressed before the material can transition from experimental studies to routine medical use. However, the research provides a strong foundation for personalised and efficient regenerative therapies.

By building on the body’s own repair mechanisms, this approach sees a shift in how materials for regenerative medicine are designed. Instead of trying to replicate biology, it works with it, opening the door to safer, more effective therapies that can be tailored to individual patients.