News | First Human Lactation Model: ETH Zurich 3D-Prints a Miniature Milk-Producing System
Human breast milk is naturally tailored to infants, yet little is known about how it is produced in the mammary gland. A team led by Marcy Zenobi-Wong, professor of tissue engineering and biofabrication at ETH Zurich, has developed a 3D-printed human mammary tissue model that produces milk components in the laboratory.
The model offers a new platform for studying milk production and may support research into breastfeeding difficulties, medication safety, breast cancer, and other areas.
Using breast-milk cells to build a miniature lactating mammary model
The team isolated mammary epithelial cells naturally present in breast milk. These cells originate in lactating mammary tissue and are shed into milk. Using a specialized 3D bioprinting process, researchers placed the cells in a three-dimensional structure that mimics mammary ducts, recreating key features of human mammary tissue in the laboratory.
The technique, called volumetric bioprinting, directs lasers into a liquid gel from multiple angles. Areas receiving enough light solidify within seconds, creating small three-dimensional structures resembling mammary alveoli and ducts.
The printing material was derived from bovine mammary tissue and has biological components similar to human mammary tissue, making it suitable for cell growth. The epithelial cells began secreting typical milk components, including β-casein and milk-fat globules.
"At first, we were unsure whether the cells would grow at all, let alone produce milk," said first author and doctoral student Amelia Hasenauer. "After many trials, we found suitable culture conditions. Many colleagues were surprised that cells from breast milk could grow into tissue."
A basic-science model, not artificial milk
Although the model produced some milk components, Prof. Zenobi-Wong emphasized that the goal is not to manufacture artificial breast milk.
"Milk is extremely complex and contains hundreds of substances, including proteins, fats, sugars, immune cells, and microorganisms. We have taken only the first step," she said.
Hasenauer added: "The model's real value is that it gives us the first controlled in vitro platform for observing lactating cells. Many women experience breastfeeding difficulties, and this model may help identify their causes."
The model could also be used to study how drugs and chemicals affect lactation, and may extend to breast cancer and tissue-repair research. The next step is to improve printing efficiency and collect more lactation data for high-throughput analysis.
Breast-milk cells open new avenues in women's health research
The work also highlights major gaps in research on women's physiology. "Too many women's health conditions—from endometriosis and postpartum mastitis to infertility—have long been overlooked," said Prof. Zenobi-Wong. Compared with animal experiments or invasive sampling, models built from mammary cells naturally shed into breast milk have fewer ethical barriers, are easier to handle, and offer controlled, relevant data.
The team hopes the model will advance lactation research and bring more scientific attention and resources to long-neglected processes in women's bodies.
News | First Human Lactation Model: ETH Zurich 3D-Prints a Miniature Milk-Producing System
News | First Human Lactation Model: ETH Zurich 3D-Prints a Miniature Milk-Producing System
Human breast milk is naturally tailored to infants, yet little is known about how it is produced in the mammary gland. A team led by Marcy Zenobi-Wong, professor of tissue engineering and biofabrication at ETH Zurich, has developed a 3D-printed human mammary tissue model that produces milk components in the laboratory.
The model offers a new platform for studying milk production and may support research into breastfeeding difficulties, medication safety, breast cancer, and other areas.
Using breast-milk cells to build a miniature lactating mammary model
The team isolated mammary epithelial cells naturally present in breast milk. These cells originate in lactating mammary tissue and are shed into milk. Using a specialized 3D bioprinting process, researchers placed the cells in a three-dimensional structure that mimics mammary ducts, recreating key features of human mammary tissue in the laboratory.
The technique, called volumetric bioprinting, directs lasers into a liquid gel from multiple angles. Areas receiving enough light solidify within seconds, creating small three-dimensional structures resembling mammary alveoli and ducts.
The printing material was derived from bovine mammary tissue and has biological components similar to human mammary tissue, making it suitable for cell growth. The epithelial cells began secreting typical milk components, including β-casein and milk-fat globules.
"At first, we were unsure whether the cells would grow at all, let alone produce milk," said first author and doctoral student Amelia Hasenauer. "After many trials, we found suitable culture conditions. Many colleagues were surprised that cells from breast milk could grow into tissue."
A basic-science model, not artificial milk
Although the model produced some milk components, Prof. Zenobi-Wong emphasized that the goal is not to manufacture artificial breast milk.
"Milk is extremely complex and contains hundreds of substances, including proteins, fats, sugars, immune cells, and microorganisms. We have taken only the first step," she said.
Hasenauer added: "The model's real value is that it gives us the first controlled in vitro platform for observing lactating cells. Many women experience breastfeeding difficulties, and this model may help identify their causes."
The model could also be used to study how drugs and chemicals affect lactation, and may extend to breast cancer and tissue-repair research. The next step is to improve printing efficiency and collect more lactation data for high-throughput analysis.
Breast-milk cells open new avenues in women's health research
The work also highlights major gaps in research on women's physiology. "Too many women's health conditions—from endometriosis and postpartum mastitis to infertility—have long been overlooked," said Prof. Zenobi-Wong. Compared with animal experiments or invasive sampling, models built from mammary cells naturally shed into breast milk have fewer ethical barriers, are easier to handle, and offer controlled, relevant data.
The team hopes the model will advance lactation research and bring more scientific attention and resources to long-neglected processes in women's bodies.
Source:
Collected online