A multidisciplinary team spanning chemistry, nanomedicine, oncology, and bioengineering has developed a bioprinting system capable of producing three-dimensional cell structures at a speed and quality that could reshape cancer research. Led by Academy Fellow Professor Justin Gooding of UNSW, the group earned the 2021 Eureka Prize for Innovative Use of Technology for their achievement. The collaboration brought together UNSW Chemistry, the Australian Centre for NanoMedicine, the Children’s Cancer Institute, and Inventia Life Science Pty Ltd, with key contributors including Professor Maria Kavallaris, Dr Julio Ribeiro, Dr Aidan O’Mahony, Dr Robert Utama, and Dr Lakmali Atapattu.
Three-dimensional cell cultures have long been recognized as a more accurate representation of living tissue than traditional two-dimensional methods. In cancer research, 3D models better mimic the tumor microenvironment, enabling more realistic studies of cell behavior, drug response, and disease progression. However, existing 3D culturing techniques have been hampered by slow production rates, high costs, and inconsistent cell viability. The new system directly addresses these limitations, delivering structures with exceptional cell survival rates and tunable properties that allow researchers to adapt models to specific experimental needs.
The technology’s significance lies not only in its engineering precision but also in its potential to accelerate personalized medicine. By enabling rapid fabrication of patient-specific tumor models, researchers can test therapeutic strategies in a controlled yet biologically relevant environment before applying them in clinical settings. This approach aligns with broader trends in biomedical engineering, where additive manufacturing techniques are increasingly used to replicate complex biological architectures. In tissue engineering, for example, advances in nozzle design, bio-ink formulation, and crosslinking chemistry have improved the fidelity and mechanical stability of printed constructs, laying the groundwork for more sophisticated in vitro systems.
Professor Gooding described the journey as “an incredibly exciting” one, noting that the recognition marked a high point for the team. “The technology addresses an incredibly important problem in terms of potentially playing an important role in personalising cancer treatment. What we have achieved would not have been possible if we were not part of a great team from both industry and academia who worked in an integrated way towards a common vision. For me, it really shows what universities and companies can do together when they truly work together as partners.”
Such partnerships are increasingly critical in translating laboratory innovations into practical tools. Industry partners can provide manufacturing expertise, regulatory guidance, and pathways to commercialization, while academic researchers contribute fundamental science and exploratory risk-taking. In this case, the integration of nanoengineered materials, precision fluidics, and biological expertise produced a platform that overcomes long-standing barriers in 3D bioprinting for biomedical applications.
The system’s tunability is particularly noteworthy. By adjusting parameters such as bio-ink composition, printing speed, and environmental conditions, researchers can create models that simulate different tissue types or disease states. This flexibility is essential for studying heterogeneous cancers, where tumor characteristics can vary widely between patients. In engineering terms, the platform functions as a modular manufacturing process, where each variable can be optimized for a specific output without compromising throughput.
Professor Gooding is no stranger to recognition in the field. In 2017, he received the University of Technology Sydney Eureka Prize for Outstanding Mentor of Young Researchers, underscoring his commitment to fostering the next generation of innovators. The current award reflects not only a technical milestone but also the collaborative ethos that underpinned its development.
For engineers and technologists, the achievement offers a compelling example of how precision manufacturing principles can be applied beyond aerospace or automotive contexts. The same focus on repeatability, material performance, and process control that drives advances in high-performance engineering also underlies the success of this biomedical platform. As additive manufacturing continues to evolve, cross-pollination between disciplines may yield further breakthroughs at the intersection of materials science, biology, and mechanical design.