Biofabrication platforms: advanced 3D (bio)printed models for the study of kidney fibrosis

This PhD thesis investigates the possibility to manufacture advanced models for the study of chronic kidney disease (CKD), by means of bioprinting. One of the endpoints of CKD is kidney fibrosis, which is characterized by cells secreting an excessive amount of proteins, limiting the kidney functionality. Technology, material science and biology have been studied to create models in the laboratory, called in vitro models. The models can allow to mimic certain anatomical and physiological features of the human kidney, inducing fibrosis and testing multiple drug candidates. This technology can allow to overcome several limitations of animal testing, speeding up the development of new treatments, and facilitating the clinical trials.