From Our Special Correspondent

Daijiworld Media Network

Bengaluru, Dec 9: The new Centre of Excellence (CoE) for 3D bioprinting, the first of its kind in the subcontinent, established in partnership between India Institute of Science (IISc) and leading global Bio-Convergence (BICO) Company (CELLiNK) was inaugurated on Friday.

Dr C N Ashwath Narayan, Minister for IT/BT and Higher Education, launched the CoE housed in the Centre of Biosystems Science and Engineering (BSSE) at IISc.

Speaking on the occasion, Dr Narayan said the 3D bio-printing technology which enables the printing of human tissues and organs would facilitate faster and more accurate models for drug development.

The CoE which focuses on working around the health care of heart, bone, cartilege will house several state of the art 3D bio printers. This also serves as a hub for several research initiatives and training activities related to -emerging field of bio-printing technology, he explained.

IISC Director Prof Govindan Rangarajan said, "IISc and CELLiNK will work together to conduct workshops aimed at providing the necessary skills to utilise 3D bio-printing and to enable reap the benefits of 3D cell culture. The two will undertake and advise on research projects related to tissue engineering, drug discovery, material science and regenerative/personalised medicine.

"The CoE excellence will provide access to 3D bioprinting systems and enable
researchers to accelerate their work across critical applications. Eventually this would lead to improved health outcomes," remarked Tomoko Bylund, Head, CELLiNK (Asia Pacific).

Prof Vishal Rao Dean, Health Care Global, pointed out, 3D bio-printing facilitates to print tissue and organ models which help in drug research and developing potential treatments.

He said this will have impact on human health by promoting drug discovery, testing and regenerating tissues for therapies.

After the inauguration, a brief demonstration of the technology was provided.