Technion researchers have developed a first-of-its-kind, 3D-printed implantable tissue flap designed to treat significant tissue loss. The engineered construct integrates muscle and fat tissues with a hierarchical network of blood vessels and, for the first time, a lymphatic system—enabling improved fluid drainage and more effective tissue function. The study, led by Prof. Shulamit Levenberg and published in Cell Biomaterials, addresses a major limitation of current treatments, which rely on transplanting tissue from the patient’s own body.

Using a specialized bio-ink derived from extracellular matrix components and a custom bioreactor that mimics physiological blood flow, the team created a complex, functional tissue that closely replicates natural anatomy. In rat models, the implant demonstrated rapid integration with host tissue, including stable blood flow, proper oxygen and nutrient delivery, and healthy muscle and fat development.

This breakthrough may pave the way for personalized, lab-grown tissue flaps tailored to individual patients, offering a promising alternative for treating injuries, burns, and tissue loss following tumor removal. The technology is now being tested in larger animal models as a step toward future clinical applications.