In Virginia, the University of Virginia is joining others we’ve reported on like Lattice Biologics and Akron Biotechnology to work on manufacturing human tissues and organs as part of the Advanced Regenerative Manufacturing Institute. UVA’s Engineering and Medicine schools will bring their expertise to many areas including cell and tissue engineering, advanced materials research, and chemical engineering. UVA also has a 3D bioprinter that prints living tissue, and a microfabrication clean-room with more than $15 million in tech tools for making advanced materials, with a planned $9 million renovation and expansion. It also is investing $3 million in a Center for Advanced Biomanufacturing in the schools of Engineering and Medicine.
George J. Christ, biomedical engineering and orthopedic surgery professor and expert in regenerative medicine told UVA Today “Making a new limb is not the same as making a new kidney or liver or heart. Part of the consortium’s task will be to find common denominators in cell and tissue engineering so improved and more consistent manufacturing processes can be derived.”