#earthhack This isn’t just another lab experiment, it’s a potential game-changer for wound healing. Researchers at Seoul National University of Science and Technology (SeoulTech) have turned kombucha into a bioink that could revolutionise medical treatments, bringing bio-printing one step closer to real-world emergency use.
At the heart of this medical innovation is the living tissue found in the kombucha SCOBY (shown below), the symbiotic culture of bacteria and yeast formed during fermentation. Usually known for producing the tangy drink touted for its probiotic benefits, the SCOBY also generates a dense cellulose biofilm, rich in microbial life and highly compatible with human cells.
Source: © Premyuda Yospim | Dreamstime.com - Kombucha Scoby
SeoulTech’s team has transformed this natural material into a functional bioink, allowing for the direct application of living cells onto wounds using a handheld bioprinting device.
This device, a sort of ‘biopen,’ works like a high-tech glue gun, dispensing the live-cell-infused ink in precise layers to treat wounds on-site. Unlike traditional dressings or grafts, which rely on external materials, this approach builds healing tissue directly onto the patient’s skin. The bioprinted material integrates with the body more effectively, reducing rejection risks and accelerating recovery. The living tissue from the kombucha-derived bioink encourages cell regeneration, supporting the body’s natural healing process rather than merely covering the wound.
Source: SeoulTech - SCOBY BioPen in action
For patients, this could mean faster healing times, reduced infection risks, and more personalised treatments. Emergency rooms, battlefield medics, and remote healthcare providers could one day carry a bioprinter capable of regenerating damaged tissue in real-time. Instead of waiting for skin grafts or donor tissue, doctors could print new cells directly onto the injury, using a material derived from something as simple as a fermented tea.
This fusion of nature and technology marks a major step forward in regenerative medicine. The idea a humble SCOBY, typically floating in a jar of home-brewed kombucha, could hold the key to next-level wound care is as unexpected as it is exciting. If SeoulTech’s bioink makes its way into hospitals, kombucha’s reputation as a ‘health drink’ might take on a whole new meaning.
ENDS:
Yorumlar