The printer that uses “lightsabres” to precisely 3D-print cells and scaffolds to revolutionise cell and tissue research – new podcast

• In episode 6 of ‘What is a membrane?’ Dr Matt Derry is joined by Dr Emma Shepherd, Dr Dominic Mosses and Dr David Jenkins
• They explain how the Quantum X bio printer can polymerise liquids and 3D-print cells using lasers into realistic tissue structures
• The realistic tissues can be used to study diseases and injuries, test drugs, understand more about the blood-brain barrier and many other applications.

11 April 2025 -- Birmingham, UK -- In the latest episode of the Aston Originals podcast What is a membrane?, Dr Emma Shepherd, Dr Dominic Mosses and Dr David Jenkins join host Dr Matt Derry to explain the workings and potential of Aston University’s Quantum X bio printer.

The Quantum X bio was installed in 2024 following a grant from the Biotechnology and Biological Sciences Research Council (BBSRC). It allows the precise printing of very small structures and living cells in a gel scaffold which keeps them in their correct orientations and positions like those found in organs in the body. It uses lasers to polymerise a liquid into a solid gel. It is the first such printer in the UK.

Growing cells in 2D shapes is relatively easy, but Dr Jenkins explained that a 3D structure allows a more realistic study of cells in the body, for example, he will print brain cells to connect as they do in a brain, while Dr Shepherd will grow liver tissue that allows her to see how blood flows through it. The realistic organ and tissue-like structures will allow them, and other researchers, to study disease processes and injuries, model drugs and test drugs, amongst other things.

Describing how the Quantum X bio works to print in 3D so precisely, Dr Shepherd used an analogy involving “Jedi jelly”, “Jedi jam” and lightsabres. She said: “I'm going to make some Star Wars Jedi jam and my starting material is my Jedi jelly. It’s a clear, sticky, kind of syrupy material and the traditional way to polymerise this, is to use a lightsabre and this jelly will only form a jam if I've got my lightsabre there. If we think about some of the traditional printing methods, we'd go in with my biggest, strongest lightsabre and everywhere that lightsabre goes into that gel, it will form a polymer and make the jam throughout. “Now imagine we go in with two really weak lightsabres. I can go through that gel within each individual lightsabre. Nothing happens. Only at the point where the two lightsabres cross is the energy sufficient for that unique point of polymerisation.”

Dr Mosses, an expert in bioprinting and a Quantum X bio super-user, said that while it has been possible to print cells in 3D for a while, most of the other processes use chemicals that are relatively toxic to the cells, or lasers that damage the cells, or are much less controllable. The Quantum X bio makes the process much easier.

Find out more about the Quantum X bio printer and its applications in episode 6 of Aston Institute of Membrane Excellence’s (AIME’s) podcast series, What is a membrane?, ‘Jedi jam and bioprinting’, whichis available on Spotify, Apple Podcasts and all major streaming platforms. Watch the video on YouTube.

About Aston Institute of Molecular Excellence (AIME)
AIME is a globally unique, cross-disciplinary institute to develop novel membranes for use in applications as varied as drug discovery and water purification. The team behind AIME believes that the full potential of membranes will only be realised by a research team spanning biology, physics and chemistry that can investigate membranes holistically. No other institute has the platform, potential or promise for major breakthroughs in this area. The vision is for AIME to become a ‘one-stop shop’ for interdisciplinary, translational membrane research through access to its facilities and expertise, ideally located in the heart of the UK. Visit: www.aston.ac.uk/research/aime.