Regenerative medicine increasingly draws from developmental biology to inform tissue engineering strategies. At RPI, we have developed a scaffold-free method that directs cells to form fibers by leveraging their natural abilities for differentiation, organization, and extracellular matrix production. This approach replicates key aspects of embryonic development, such as high cellularity and direct cell-cell contact, to grow functional tendon and skeletal muscle fibers through directed cellular self-assembly.

The dense 3D structure of in vitro tumor models poses significant challenges for traditional imaging. To address this, our team at RPI developed an optical coherence tomography (OCT) method combined with Imaris software for label-free, nondestructive measurement of aggregate morphology (e.g., volume, sphericity) and live cell counts. This approach allows for longitudinal quantitative tracking of 3D morphology, cell number, and regional cell density within the same tumor model during model maturation and in response to treatment.

Three-dimensional (3D) microenvironments are crucial for accurately replicating the cellular conditions within solid tumors, including high cell density, 3D context, direct cell-cell interactions, and oxygen and nutrient gradients. These critical features can be effectively reproduced in vitro with 3D tumor models; however, the size and shape of the models are vital for establishing appropriate gradients.

Acute burn injuries are a severe form of trauma, leading to complex physiological disturbances and high rates of morbidity and mortality. While significant advances have been made in burn care, substantial challenges remain, particularly in accurately distinguishing between burn depths, which require tailored treatment strategies. Misestimating burn wound size by more than 10% can result in serious complications.

The rise of bioprinted tissue holds immense promise for groundbreaking advancements in regenerative medicine, drug testing, and disease modeling. As bioprinting technology continues to evolve, it has unlocked the potential to create complex tissue structures with well-defined biological functionalities. Comprehensive assessment of bioprinted tissues is critical to ensure their quality, functionality, and safety for both research and clinical applications.