Scientists from Pohang University of Science and Technology in South Korea have developed a new process for 3-D printing human skin that will both speed up the process and reduce the costs associated with the process.

The new 3-D cell printing strategy, which is detailed in the journal Bifabrication, can be completed in one single step process, according to researchers.

Lead author Professor Dong-Woo Cho, from the university's department of mechanical engineering, said: "Although several approaches have been explored for developing biomimetic human skin models, the present skin models, which are still based on multistep production methods using polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS) chips and commercial cell culture inserts, could be limited in making a versatile design that facilitates the development of various functional human skin models. In this regard, 3-D cell-printing technique could establish a new era for advanced skin models."

The hybrid 3-D cell-printing system allows for the simultaneous use of extrusion and inkjet modules on the printer, resulting in the creation of a collagen-based material with a polycaprolactone (PCL) membrane.

Professor Cho said: "PCL is a biodegradable polyester that prevents collagen's contraction during tissue maturation. Meanwhile, we used the inkjet-based dispensing module to uniformly distribute keratinocytes—the predominant cell type in the outermost layer of the skin—onto the engineered skin."

Professor Cho said: "Significantly, our new method is around 50 times cheaper than alternative methods, and requires 10 times less base material.

"We hope that this new single-step process could provide an attractive and useful platform for engineering fully functional human skin models."