Bioprinting and regenerative medicine: a new approach for reconstructive urology
Brussels, Belgium – 20 November 2025 – An alternative treatment based on 3D bioprinting technology is being developed by the researchers from STRONG-UR. Their goal is to reduce complications associated with traditional surgery through regenerative medicine approaches that support natural healing and regeneration. To test this concept, the team chose to focus on the male urethra, which is a complex tubular organ that carries urine out of the body.
The STRONG-UR technology
This technology uses advanced 3D printing and biomaterials to create safer, less invasive, and more effective treatments for urethral strictures, offering a promising alternative to traditional surgery for men worldwide.
Pablo Pennisi of Aalborg University, project coordinator, explains: “Our goal is to make urethral reconstruction faster, safer and more accessible for patients in need”.
3D Bioprinting
The project uses 3D bioprinting technology to create living urethral tissue by combining patient-derived cells with a specially formulated gelatine-based bioink. This innovative bioink allows researchers to print tissue that closely mimics the natural structure of the urethra, including its multilayered composition of cells, blood vessels, and the sponge-like corpus spongiosum (the erectile tissue which surrounds and protects the urethra during urination and sexual activity).
The STRONG-UR team is exploring two clinical applications for the technology:
Two complementary approaches are being developed: a single-stage method using the BioPen® to directly bioprint tissue into the affected area for precise, minimally invasive repair, and a multistage method for complex or longer strictures, involving bioprinted grafts that replicate the urethra’s natural structure and elasticity.
The project partners are currently conducting preclinical studies to ensure safety, biocompatibility and regulatory compliance under the European Medicines Agency’s framework for Advanced Therapy Medicinal Products (ATMPs). Once validated, this technology could transform the future of reconstructive urology by bridging the gap between laboratory innovation and real-world medical application.
Learn more about the project’s approach in the interactive reportage, featuring patient testimonials, doctor and researcher interviews, and conceptual visualisations.
Follow the link: https://www.strong-ur.eu/bioprinting-and-regenerative-medicine/
About STRONG-UR
STRONG-UR is an EU-funded Research and Innovation Action with a duration of 48 months focused on developing and testing novel strategies for engineering tissue constructs to advance the treatment of urethral diseases.
Follow us on LinkedIn: STRONG-UR
Cordis link: https://cordis.europa.eu/project/id/101191695
Contact:
Pablo Pennisi
Project Coordinator, Aalborg University
cpennisi@hst.aau.dk
Elizaveta Kuzmina
Media Relations, META Group
e.kuzmina@meta-group.com