Personalized 3D-printed vaginal tissue for reconstruction
Production of 3D Bioprinted Autologous Vaginal Tissue Constructs for Reconstructive Applications
This work aims to make 3D-printed vaginal tissue from a person's own cells to help people who need vaginal reconstruction.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Wake Forest University Health Sciences NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Winston-Salem, United States) |
| Project ID | NIH-11312627 on NIH RePORTER |
What this research studies
If you need vaginal reconstruction, the team plans to take a small sample of your own cells, expand them in the lab, and use a 3D bioprinter to build tissue shaped to your anatomy. The printed constructs are designed to mimic native vaginal tissue so they integrate better and avoid problems seen with non-native grafts. Researchers will refine manufacturing methods to ensure strength, function, and biocompatibility and will test constructs in the lab and in preclinical models before clinical use. The long-term aim is a living, autologous graft that surgeons can use for safer, more functional reconstruction.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: Ideal candidates are people who need vaginal reconstruction—such as those born with vaginal aplasia, or who have tissue loss from injury or disease—and who can provide a small tissue or cell sample.
Not a fit: Patients who cannot give healthy cells, have active infections, widespread disease, or who are not surgical candidates may not benefit from this approach.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: Could provide personalized vaginal grafts that behave more like natural tissue and lower the risk of mechanical and compatibility complications.
How similar studies have performed: Related tissue-engineering methods have been used successfully for skin, bladder, urethra and earlier neovaginal cases, but applying 3D bioprinting to vaginal reconstruction is an emerging approach.
Where this research is happening
Winston-Salem, United States
- Wake Forest University Health Sciences — Winston-Salem, United States (Active)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Yoo, James J — Wake Forest University Health Sciences
- Study coordinator: Yoo, James J
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 below.