How to build a body: Replacing animal research

Imagine printing 3D structures out of living human cells. This is called bioprinting, a technology that scientists are using to recreate tissues, organs and biological models in the lab and replace the use of animals in research. Natalia is using a 3D bioprinting technique to recreate the largest tissue in the human body – skeletal muscle – to better understand and treat diseases such as muscular dystrophy which are typically researched using animals.

Tim is researching how bones grow and change over time. Rats and mice are usually used in this type of research but Tim is using a new technology called ‘Organ-on-a-Chip’. This combines biology and engineering, allowing scientists to grow human cells in small chambers and channels to create miniature mimics of human tissues. Tim is using this technology to imitate cartilage, bone and blood vessels in the lab and replace rodents in his research.