Multi-tissue 3D-printed trachea for airway repair
Official title: Multi-tissue type condensations for trachea tissue regeneration via individual cell bioprinting
Funded at Jesse Brown VA Medical Center · NIH-11306036 · Data updated 2026-11-12
A patient-facing overview of a project that uses advanced 3D bioprinting to create a functional trachea from patient cells to help people with severe airway damage.
Quick facts
| Grant type | NIH-funded research |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Jesse Brown VA Medical Center NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Chicago, United States) |
| Project start | May 1, 2023 |
| Project end | April 30, 2028 |
| Funding year | 2026 |
| NIH project number | 5I01RX004288-04 |
| Project ID | NIH-11306036 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Patients with extensive tracheal damage or stenosis who are candidates for airway reconstruction.
✕Less likely to help
Patients with minor airway injury or conditions not requiring tracheal replacement may not benefit.
What this research studies
This project explores making a replacement trachea using patients’ own cells printed in 3D to form multiple tissue types. By combining cell-only bioprinting with scaffold-free methods, researchers aim to reproduce the rigid structure, blood supply, and healthy lining needed for a safe, long-lasting airway. If successful, this approach could offer a new option for people with long-segment tracheal damage who currently have limited therapies.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, patients with severe tracheal damage may receive a functional airway replacement that reduces the need for repeated procedures and improves breathing.
How similar studies have gone: Prior scaffold-based approaches faced issues with cell interactions and tissue formation; this study builds on a newer cell-only 3D bioprinting method that aims to overcome those limitations.
Where this research is happening
-
Jesse Brown VA Medical Center
Chicago, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Alsberg, Eben — Jesse Brown VA Medical Center
- Study coordinator: Alsberg, Eben
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About this research
- This is an active NIH-funded research project — typically early-stage science, not a clinical trial accepting patient enrollment.
- Some NIH-funded labs run parallel clinical studies or seek volunteers for related work. To check, contact the principal investigator or institution listed above.
- For full project details, budget, and progress reports, visit the official NIH RePORTER page.