3D Bioprinted Skin: Breakthroughs in Regenerative Medicine

Episode Description

Skin is the body’s largest organ, and its health can reveal far more about aging and disease than what shows up in the mirror. In this episode of Tomorrow’s Cure from Mayo Clinic, host Cathy Wurzer talks with dermatologist and regenerative medicine expert Dr. Saranya Wyles of Mayo Clinic and biomedical engineer Dr. Adam Feinberg of Carnegie Mellon University about “SkinSpan” and the fast-moving world of 3D bioprinted skin.

They explore how layered, living skin models built from human cells and collagen are helping researchers study conditions like eczema, chronic wounds, burns, and age-related changes in skin structure and pigment. The episode also dives into Dr. Feinberg’s hands-on, open-source bioprinting workshops, where clinicians and scientists build their own high-performance bioprinters for a fraction of traditional costs. In turn, democratizing access to advanced regenerative tools and accelerating discovery worldwide. Through these collaborations, bioprinting moves from theory to practice, enabling more teams to test new therapies and customize tissue models for their patients.

The conversation further explores “zombie cells” (senescent cells), what they reveal about skin aging and inflammation, and how skin changes may influence whole-body health. Listeners will also hear about the ethical and practical questions that must be answered before bioprinted skin can reach routine patient care.

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