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Advanced Tissue Biofabrication Center of Economic Excellence
University collaborators: Medical University of South Carolina (fiscal agent) Clemson University (collaborative partner) University of South Carolina (collaborative partner) About the CoEE: The long-term vision for the CoEE in Advanced Tissue Biofabrication involves industrial-scale production of complex tissues and organs for the repair, replacement, or restoration of diseased cells, tissues, and organs. Researchers will focus on “bioprinting,” a technique of assembling human tissues and organs by layering living cells and a hydrogel, or polymer. Previously, production of bioprinted tissue has been limited to cartilage and similar structures that do not require blood flow. CoEE researchers aim to generate a vascular supply for bioprinted tissue that would allow a larger variety of structures and organs to be created in this manner. The CoEE will add to South Carolina's growing program in bioengineering, which includes the CoEE in Regenerative Medicine and the South Carolina Bioengineering Alliance. Working relationships are also being forged with the Polymer Nanocomposites CoEE, the Neuroscience CoEE, and the Advanced Fiber-based Materials CoEE. The Advanced Tissue Biofabrication CoEE will play a major role in the implementation of the FY 2009 statewide $20 million NSF grant. Along with
MUSC, nine other South Carolina institutions of higher education are participants in this project: Clemson, USC, Claflin University, South Carolina
State University, Voorhees College, Furman University, USC‐Beaufort, Denmark Technical College, and Greenville Technical College. According
to Dr. Roger Markwold, lead scientist on the grant, the project’s mission is “[building] tissue and organs from the inside out, which is a different
approach than anyone has taken. First, we want to create a three-dimensional vascular tree and then the organ. This will allow us to develop the Funding level: CoEE Endowed Chairs:
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