Biomanufacturing and biofabrication techniques can be applied in vitro to model healthy and disease phenotypes, creating in vivo tissue and organ replacements, or fabricating sustainable biomaterials.

First author Jack F. Murphy

Industry 5.0 seeks to add human, environmental and social aspects back into the equation by emphasising human-centric processes and personalisation.

As we transition into this Fifth Industrial Revolution (Industry 5.0), researchers warn that more ethical and sustainable practices in life sciences and healthcare are needed – with biomanufacturing and biofabrication being viable solutions.

Propelled by cutting-edge research and development, these emerging fields^[1] are rapidly growing in the UK and Ireland, revolutionising healthcare and driving innovation. Examples include the creation of next-generation drugs derived from living organisms, and 3D bioprinting for tissue and organ regeneration.

Writing in the journal Bio-Design and Manufacturing, the research team, from across the UK and Ireland, say biomanufacturing and biofabrication techniques should be developed and used to address existing “unethical and unsustainable” practices in the healthcare system. Examples include but are not limited to the millions of scientific procedures being carried out on animals in the UK today, and the long-term consequences of the healthcare industry’s large carbon footprint.

The researchers highlight 3D bioprinting (a popular technology capable of 3D printing living tissues), tissue engineering, and directed assembly, as techniques that can transform bioscience and healthcare – bringing multiple benefits while prioritising sustainability and affordability and adhering to ethical standards.

“These techniques can be applied in vitro to model healthy and disease phenotypes, creating in vivo tissue and organ replacements, or fabricating sustainable biomaterials,” said first author, Cambridge Engineering PhD student Jack F. Murphy. “Biomaterials are already used widely in medical devices, such as stents and dental implants, but more recently, the focus has been on bioactive biomaterials that interact with living systems and elicit a biological response such as promoting tissue regeneration.”

In 2023, a report by the World Health Organization (WHO) identified 3D printing as an emerging technology that could help solve global health challenges by increasing the supply of organs and tissues for drug screening and transplantation within the next 10 years.

Similarly, in 2023, the UK Department for Science, Innovation and Technology recognised engineering biology as one of the “critical technologies” that will have a large impact on the UK economy by 2030.

Shery Huang, Professor of Bioengineering at the Department of Engineering, University of Cambridge, said: “As we transition through Industry 4.0 and into Industry 5.0 – where we witness humans working with advanced technologies and AI-powered robots – the need for a swift adoption of biomanufacturing and biofabrication techniques has never been greater, especially if we are to meet the national strategies for both the UK and Ireland.”

In their review, the researchers provide a snapshot of key biomanufacturing technologies currently being developed and used by research groups from across the UK and Ireland. These fit into six research themes:

•  Bioprinting
•  Drug delivery
•  Biomaterials
•  Tissue engineering
•  Sustainability
•  Biohybrid.

At the Department of Engineering, University of Cambridge, Professor Huang’s Biointerface Research Group is developing 3D bioprinting and biofabrication techniques, focusing on sustainability and healthcare translatability.

‘Printer.HM’ is an open-source, hackable and multi-functional soft material printer built on a robotic arm. It is intended to help make bioprinting more accessible. Printer.HM offers an affordable option for the do-it-yourself research community, costing between £900 and £1,900.

‘BioArm’ is a transportable 3D bioprinter for cancer research. It can be easily reassembled for printing inside a biosafety cabinet. The technology can perform rapid and reproducible manufacturing of complex tumouroids – 3D cell cultures that resemble tumour tissues – to test potential immunotherapy treatments. BioArm is a low-cost alternative to existing open-source bioprinters that cost less than £1,000.

Other topics of investigation underway in the Biointerface Research Group include:

•  Biodegradable electronics that can be deployed in situ without impacting the native environment.
•  Improved in vitro culture platforms for modelling the brain, lungs, and heart.
•  Using biohybrid systems as biological sensors.

According to the authors of the review, there is an urgent need for new initiatives to be established to translate biofabrication in the UK and Ireland. The timeline for this, they say, can be broken down as follows:

In the next three to five years – pursue engineering biology through biofabrication, which does not involve genetic modification. This could fast-forward ethical compliance and public acceptance, providing a quicker return on investment.

In the next five to 10 years – integrate synthetic biology with biofabrication, alongside advances in tissue and cell engineering and scalable sustainable manufacturing. This is expected to significantly enhance the value and safety of end products and could streamline regulatory processes.

Reference:
Jack F. Murphy; Yan Yan Shery Huang et al. ‘Biofabrication and biomanufacturing in Ireland and the UK’. Bio-Design and Manufacturing (2024). DOI: 10.1007/s42242-024-00316-z

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^[1]  Biomanufacturing is a type of manufacturing that uses cells or other living microorganisms to produce commercially important biomaterials for use in medicines, for example, leading to the creation of vaccines for scalable production. Biofabrication is the process of constructing functional biological products from raw materials such as living cells and biomaterials. Biofabrication techniques have the potential to create avenues for personalised medical solutions using patient-derived cells to engineer a wide range of tissues with the potential to transform lives.