- In episode 6 of ‘What is a membrane?’ Dr Matt Derry is joined by Dr Emma Shepherd, Dr Dominic Mosses and Dr David Jenkins
- They explain how the Quantum X bio printer can polymerise liquids and 3D-print cells using lasers into realistic tissue structures
- The realistic tissues can be used to study diseases and injuries, test drugs, understand more about the blood-brain barrier and many other applications.
In the latest episode of the Aston Originals podcast What is a membrane?, Dr Emma Shepherd, Dr Dominic Mosses and Dr David Jenkins join host Dr Matt Derry to explain the workings and potential of Aston University’s Quantum X bio printer.
The Quantum X bio was installed in 2024 following a grant from the Biotechnology and Biological Sciences Research Council (BBSRC). It allows the precise printing of very small structures and living cells in a gel scaffold which keeps them in their correct orientations and positions like those found in organs in the body. It uses lasers to polymerise a liquid into a solid gel. It is the first such printer in the UK.
Growing cells in 2D shapes is relatively easy, but Dr Jenkins explained that a 3D structure allows a more realistic study of cells in the body, for example, he will print brain cells to connect as they do in a brain, while Dr Shepherd will grow liver tissue that allows her to see how blood flows through it. The realistic organ and tissue-like structures will allow them, and other researchers, to study disease processes and injuries, model drugs and test drugs, amongst other things.
Describing how the Quantum X bio works to print in 3D so precisely, Dr Shepherd used an analogy involving “Jedi jelly”, “Jedi jam” and lightsabres.
She said:
“I'm going to make some Star Wars Jedi jam and my starting material is my Jedi jelly. It’s a clear, sticky, kind of syrupy material and the traditional way to polymerise this, is to use a lightsabre and this jelly will only form a jam if I've got my lightsabre there. If we think about some of the traditional printing methods, we'd go in with my biggest, strongest lightsabre and everywhere that lightsabre goes into that gel, it will form a polymer and make the jam throughout.
“Now imagine we go in with two really weak lightsabres. I can go through that gel within each individual lightsabre. Nothing happens. Only at the point where the two lightsabres cross is the energy sufficient for that unique point of polymerisation.”
Dr Mosses, an expert in bioprinting and a Quantum X bio super-user, said that while it has been possible to print cells in 3D for a while, most of the other processes use chemicals that are relatively toxic to the cells, or lasers that damage the cells, or are much less controllable. The Quantum X bio makes the process much easier.
Find out more about the Quantum X bio printer and its applications in episode 6 of Aston Institute of Membrane Excellence’s (AIME’s) podcast series, What is a membrane?, ‘Jedi jam and bioprinting’, whichis available on Spotify, Apple Podcasts and all major streaming platforms. Watch the video on YouTube.
The Quantum X bio is available to other researchers and collaborators. For more information, email qxb_support@aston.ac.uk.
- Notes to editors
About Aston University
For over 130 years, Aston University has been making our world a better place through education, research and innovation. Our history is intertwined with the remarkable city of Birmingham, once the heartland of the Industrial Revolution and now the thriving base for an innovation ecosystem of global significance, which Aston is co-creating.
Our vision is to be a leading university for science, technology and enterprise, measured by the positive transformational impact we achieve for our people, students, businesses and the communities we serve.
Aston focuses on high-quality, exploitable research that has an impact on society through medical breakthroughs, advancements in engineering, policy and practice in government, and the strategies and performance of business.
The university offers a range of undergraduate and postgraduate degree programmes, as well as continuing professional development solutions.
Thanks to its focus on delivering excellent outcomes for students, Aston University's reputation continues to grow. It was recognised as the Daily Mail University of the Year for Student Success 2025, is second in England for social mobility (2023 HEPI Social Mobility Index), and is top 20 for graduate salaries (2024 Longitudinal Education Outcomes).
Aston University is now defining its place in the Fourth Industrial Revolution (and beyond) within a rapidly changing world.
For media inquiries in relation to this release, contact Helen Tunnicliffe, Press and Communications Manager, on (+44) 7827 090240 or email: h.tunnicliffe@aston.ac.uk.
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