Xiaoxiao Han is currently a full professor at Hunan University and serves as the Vice President of the National Engineering Research Centre for High Efficiency Grinding in China. Before her current position, she worked as a lecturer at Loughborough University and as a postdoctoral researcher at Warwick University in the UK. Her research expertise lies in biomimetic design and precise bioprinting of large cell-laden scaffolds. Her significant contributions in this field include: the development of a comprehensive mathematical model for polymer degradation. This model allows for the precise prediction of degradation rates. And she also developed a new photo inhibiting method that enhances the resolution of light-based bioprinting to achieve 1.5-2.1 pixels. This breakthrough has enabled the printing of highly intricate cell-laden scaffolds. Xiaoxiao Han has authored and published more than 50 top peer-reviewed papers in prestigious journals, including Nature Communications, Biomaterials, Additive Manufacturing, among others. Furthermore, Xiaoxiao Han has successfully secured funding, both nationally and internationally, totaling over 500 million Chinese yuan for her work in this field. This substantial financial support underscores the recognition and importance of her research endeavors.

Topic title: Biomimetic design and precise bioprinting of large cell-laden scaffolds

Abstract:

Bioprinted organs or tissues have garnered significant attention due to their potential applications in organ transplantation, tissue regeneration, drug testing, and more. Despite successful experiences in printing organs like the liver or kidney, a major challenge persists – the limited functionality of these bioprinted structures, which still remains too small to effectively perform their intended functions. Several challenges must be overcome to scale up the bioprinting process to the centimeter scale. These challenges include inadequate oxygen and nutrient supply, compromised structural integrity, and prolonged printing times. In this presentation, we will focus on addressing these challenges and showcasing the potential applications of large cell-laden scaffolds.