Horizon MagazineJul 16, 2026CC BY 4.0

3D Bioprinting Uses Engineered Living Materials to Mimic Nature

Researchers under the EU-funded PRISM-LT project are developing a 3D bioprinting platform to create Engineered Living Materials (ELMs).
Unlike static materials, ELMs utilize living cells and microorganisms that can self-organize, adapt, and repair.
The technology uses encapsulated "living building blocks" containing cells and bioink, guided by genetically engineered microbes that release growth factors to direct stem cell development.

The manufacturing phase takes minutes to an hour, followed by a three-week maturation period where stem cells develop into specific tissues like bone, muscle, or fat.
Current capabilities allow for the production of one square centimeter of thin tissue, with ongoing work toward one cubic centimeter blocks.
A core challenge is establishing a symbiotic environment where disparate systems, such as yeast and stem cells, can survive and differentiate simultaneously.

Biomedical Research: Creating 3D bone marrow models to study diseases like leukaemia and developing organ mimics for drug testing and personalized medicine.
Food Production: Using bioprinting to replicate the fat-streak structures found in conventional meat, which provides the desired texture and flavor currently lacking in cultivated meat.
Public Perception: Researchers are prioritizing the use of yeast rather than bacteria for food applications to increase consumer acceptance.

Regulatory Hurdles: Because ELMs are "alive" and often contain genetically modified organisms, they do not fit existing regulatory frameworks for food or medicine.
Collaboration: The PRISM-LT team is working with the European Medicines Agency to establish new safety pathways and regulatory standards.
Scalability: While the project has proven the feasibility of the technology, scaling production to real-world application levels remains the primary future objective.

Horizon MagazineJul 16, 2026CC BY 4.0

Researchers under the EU-funded PRISM-LT project are developing a 3D bioprinting platform to create Engineered Living Materials (ELMs).
Unlike static materials, ELMs utilize living cells and microorganisms that can self-organize, adapt, and repair.
The technology uses encapsulated "living building blocks" containing cells and bioink, guided by genetically engineered microbes that release growth factors to direct stem cell development.

The manufacturing phase takes minutes to an hour, followed by a three-week maturation period where stem cells develop into specific tissues like bone, muscle, or fat.
Current capabilities allow for the production of one square centimeter of thin tissue, with ongoing work toward one cubic centimeter blocks.
A core challenge is establishing a symbiotic environment where disparate systems, such as yeast and stem cells, can survive and differentiate simultaneously.

Biomedical Research: Creating 3D bone marrow models to study diseases like leukaemia and developing organ mimics for drug testing and personalized medicine.
Food Production: Using bioprinting to replicate the fat-streak structures found in conventional meat, which provides the desired texture and flavor currently lacking in cultivated meat.
Public Perception: Researchers are prioritizing the use of yeast rather than bacteria for food applications to increase consumer acceptance.

Regulatory Hurdles: Because ELMs are "alive" and often contain genetically modified organisms, they do not fit existing regulatory frameworks for food or medicine.
Collaboration: The PRISM-LT team is working with the European Medicines Agency to establish new safety pathways and regulatory standards.
Scalability: While the project has proven the feasibility of the technology, scaling production to real-world application levels remains the primary future objective.

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