A HELPING HAND FROM OUR NEW BIOPRINTING ROBOT

02-01-2026

Exciting news from the lab — a new robotic bioprinter has arrived at UMC Utrecht: the BioAssemblyBot, or simply BAB.

Thanks to generous donations from companies, funds, and foundations, we are now equipped with this advanced robotic platform to take our biofabrication work to the next level.

What makes BAB special? Unlike traditional 3D bioprinters that build structures layer by flat layer, BAB can move and print along curved surfaces. This makes it possible to create larger, more complex constructs that better mimic anatomical shapes — such as a knee joint combining multiple layers of bone and cartilage. BAB can also switch between seven different print heads in a single session, allowing the simultaneous printing of multiple materials and cell types.

With this new capability, we aim to produce tissue-engineered constructs — such as cartilage and heart muscle — that are better tailored to individual patient needs. It's an exciting step forward in our mission to bring regenerative therapies closer to clinical application.

We’re proud to welcome BAB to the team!