News | First Human Breast Lactation Model Unveiled, ETH Zurich 3D Prints a "Mini Breast Milk Factory"
Although human breast milk is a natural "super nutrient solution" tailored for infants, surprisingly, the scientific community still knows very little about the mechanisms by which it is synthesized in the mammary gland. To unravel this critical life process, a research team led by Professor Marcy Zenobi-Wong, Chair of Tissue Engineering and Biofabrication at ETH Zurich in Switzerland, has developed a 3D-printed human mammary tissue model capable of producing milk in the laboratory.
This achievement not only provides a revolutionary platform for studying the mechanisms of milk production but may also open new avenues of exploration into breastfeeding disorders, drug safety, breast cancer mechanisms, and other issues.
Using Cells from Breast Milk to Build a Miniature "Lactating" Mammary Gland Model
The research team extracted naturally occurring mammary epithelial cells from breast milk. These cells originate from the lactating mammary gland tissue and are shed along with the milk. Through a specialized 3D bioprinting process, the researchers "seeded" these cells into a three-dimensional structure mimicking the mammary ducts, successfully replicating key structures of the human mammary gland in the laboratory.
This breakthrough printing technology is called volumetric bioprinting: lasers irradiate a liquid gel from different angles, and when specific regions receive a sufficient dose of light, the material hardens in a targeted manner within seconds, thereby constructing small three-dimensional structures resembling mammary alveoli and ducts.
The material used for printing is derived from bovine mammary gland extract, whose biological components are similar to those of the human mammary gland, making it suitable as a "growth bed" for the cells. Even more exciting, the researchers observed that these epithelial cells began secreting typical milk components, such as beta-casein and milk fat globules, within the model.
"Initially, we were not sure whether these cells could actually grow, let alone produce milk," said Amelia Hasenauer, a doctoral student and first author of the study. "After many trials, we figured out the appropriate culture conditions. Many colleagues were surprised that these breast milk cells could grow into tissue."
Not Creating Artificial Milk, but Modeling for Basic Science
Although the model does produce some milk components, Professor Zenobi-Wong emphasized that their goal is not to manufacture artificial breast milk.
"Milk composition is extremely complex, containing hundreds of substances, from proteins, fats, and carbohydrates to immune cells and microorganisms. We have only taken the first step so far," she noted.
Hasenauer added: "The real significance of this model is that it provides us with a platform to observe and control the behavior of lactating cells outside the body for the first time. I know many women who experience difficulties during breastfeeding, and this model may help find the root causes in the future."
The model can also be used to study the effects of drugs and chemicals on the lactation process, and could even be extended to breast cancer research and tissue repair applications. Zenobi-Wong stated that the next step is to improve printing efficiency to collect more lactation data for high-throughput analysis.
Model Derived from Breast Milk Cells Opens New Doors for Women's Health Research
This work also highlights the gaps in the field of female physiology research. "From endometriosis and postpartum mastitis to infertility... there are still too many women's health issues that have been neglected for too long," said Professor Zenobi-Wong. Compared to traditional animal experiments or invasive sampling, her team's approach of using "naturally excreted bodily fluid"—mammary cells present in breast milk—to build models has a lower ethical threshold, is simple to operate, and provides authentic and controllable data, potentially representing a paradigm shift in women's health research.
She and her team hope that this model will not only advance research on lactation mechanisms but also bring greater scientific attention and resource investment to long-neglected female bodily processes.
Tin tức | Mô hình tiết sữa người đầu tiên: ETH Zurich 3D-Prints một hệ thống thu nhỏ sản xuất sữa
News | First Human Breast Lactation Model Unveiled, ETH Zurich 3D Prints a "Mini Breast Milk Factory"
Although human breast milk is a natural "super nutrient solution" tailored for infants, surprisingly, the scientific community still knows very little about the mechanisms by which it is synthesized in the mammary gland. To unravel this critical life process, a research team led by Professor Marcy Zenobi-Wong, Chair of Tissue Engineering and Biofabrication at ETH Zurich in Switzerland, has developed a 3D-printed human mammary tissue model capable of producing milk in the laboratory.
This achievement not only provides a revolutionary platform for studying the mechanisms of milk production but may also open new avenues of exploration into breastfeeding disorders, drug safety, breast cancer mechanisms, and other issues.
Using Cells from Breast Milk to Build a Miniature "Lactating" Mammary Gland Model
The research team extracted naturally occurring mammary epithelial cells from breast milk. These cells originate from the lactating mammary gland tissue and are shed along with the milk. Through a specialized 3D bioprinting process, the researchers "seeded" these cells into a three-dimensional structure mimicking the mammary ducts, successfully replicating key structures of the human mammary gland in the laboratory.
This breakthrough printing technology is called volumetric bioprinting: lasers irradiate a liquid gel from different angles, and when specific regions receive a sufficient dose of light, the material hardens in a targeted manner within seconds, thereby constructing small three-dimensional structures resembling mammary alveoli and ducts.
The material used for printing is derived from bovine mammary gland extract, whose biological components are similar to those of the human mammary gland, making it suitable as a "growth bed" for the cells. Even more exciting, the researchers observed that these epithelial cells began secreting typical milk components, such as beta-casein and milk fat globules, within the model.
"Initially, we were not sure whether these cells could actually grow, let alone produce milk," said Amelia Hasenauer, a doctoral student and first author of the study. "After many trials, we figured out the appropriate culture conditions. Many colleagues were surprised that these breast milk cells could grow into tissue."
Not Creating Artificial Milk, but Modeling for Basic Science
Although the model does produce some milk components, Professor Zenobi-Wong emphasized that their goal is not to manufacture artificial breast milk.
"Milk composition is extremely complex, containing hundreds of substances, from proteins, fats, and carbohydrates to immune cells and microorganisms. We have only taken the first step so far," she noted.
Hasenauer added: "The real significance of this model is that it provides us with a platform to observe and control the behavior of lactating cells outside the body for the first time. I know many women who experience difficulties during breastfeeding, and this model may help find the root causes in the future."
The model can also be used to study the effects of drugs and chemicals on the lactation process, and could even be extended to breast cancer research and tissue repair applications. Zenobi-Wong stated that the next step is to improve printing efficiency to collect more lactation data for high-throughput analysis.
Model Derived from Breast Milk Cells Opens New Doors for Women's Health Research
This work also highlights the gaps in the field of female physiology research. "From endometriosis and postpartum mastitis to infertility... there are still too many women's health issues that have been neglected for too long," said Professor Zenobi-Wong. Compared to traditional animal experiments or invasive sampling, her team's approach of using "naturally excreted bodily fluid"—mammary cells present in breast milk—to build models has a lower ethical threshold, is simple to operate, and provides authentic and controllable data, potentially representing a paradigm shift in women's health research.
She and her team hope that this model will not only advance research on lactation mechanisms but also bring greater scientific attention and resource investment to long-neglected female bodily processes.
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