Montreal Researcher Develops 3D-Printed Lung Tissue to Transform Care

In a groundbreaking effort to address severe respiratory complications, researchers at the McGill University Research Institute (RI-MUHC) in Montreal are pioneering the creation of 3D-printed lung tissue. Led by Dr. Darcy Wagner, a Canada Excellence Research Chair in Lung Regenerative Medicine, the team aims to develop lung patches that could potentially replace the need for transplants.

Dr. Wagner, donning a virtual reality (VR) headset, explores a digital lung environment to enhance her understanding of lung structures and functions. The team is focused on developing 3D-printed patches that can bridge damaged areas of the lung, promoting the connection of healthy tissues and improving airways. The first challenge they tackled involved creating specific inks that are compatible with lung tissue.

“We are making lung-specific inks. I would not recommend using the inks that we have for heart or for skin,” explained Wagner. She emphasized the importance of tissue specificity to improve the outcomes of their innovations, aiming for a product that closely resembles natural lung tissue.

The journey began unexpectedly for Wagner while she was in Munich, Germany. A creative moment sparked the idea for the project when they successfully crafted a complex pretzel shape, demonstrating the potential of their materials and processes. “That was the ‘aha’ moment that I really believed that it was possible,” she reflected.

Despite the promising advances, the complexity of the lung poses significant challenges. Certain features critical for gas exchange are so tiny—around one micrometre—that current printing technology struggles to replicate them accurately. Dr. Wagner hopes to refine their techniques to guide the body’s cells in repairing and regenerating tissue effectively.

The implications of this research are profound. Currently, approximately 7,000 lung transplants are performed worldwide each year, with only one hospital in Quebec, the Centre hospitalier de l’Université de Montréal (CHUM), equipped for such procedures. As per the latest data from Transplant Quebec, there are 14 individuals on the waitlist in the province.

Dr. Wagner noted that lung transplants face particularly poor outcomes compared to other solid organ transplants, such as kidneys or hearts. The shortage of suitable lung donors is exacerbated by increasing respiratory issues linked to climate change and longer life expectancies.

To accelerate innovation in healthcare, Dr. Wagner was recruited by the MUHC, which is committed to advancing research and technology. “Recruiting people like Darcy to come and work at the MUHC is really important to ensure that our community has access to the latest and greatest in healthcare,” stated Marie-Hélène Larameé, President and CEO of the MUHC Foundation. She highlighted the foundation’s commitment to supporting innovative ideas that could transform the fields of science and health care.

While the research is still in its early stages, the potential for 3D-printed lung tissue to one day revolutionize respiratory care is significant. If successful, this technology could not only enhance the quality of life for countless patients but also reduce the dependency on organ transplants.

As the team continues its work, the hope is that these innovations will soon pave the way for breakthroughs in treating respiratory diseases, ultimately saving lives and improving health outcomes on a global scale.