Development of organoid-based high-throughput drug screening platform via pluripotent stem cell bioprinting
Utilizing the automation and mass production capabilities of bioprinting technology, we established a high-throughput organoid-based drug screening platform. We successfully bioprinted undifferentiated iPSCs into embryoid bodies, which were further differentiated into heart, brain, and kidney organoids post-printing. The bioprinted embryoid bodies maintained high cell viability, and the differentiated organoids exhibited physiological functions comparable to those of 2D cultures. The bioprinted cardiac organoids also showed a slower beating rate(BPM) trend compared to conventional organoid controls. Using this system as a proof-of-concept, we evaluated its functional responsiveness to cardiotropic drugs, nifedipine and isoprenaline. Drug responsiveness evaluation revealed that both Nifedipine and Isoprenaline showed concentration-dependent changes in BPM from 30 nM to 1000 nM. Nifedipine decreased the beating rate, while Isoprenaline increased it. Specifically, a cessation of beating was observed at Nifedipine concentrations above 300 nM. Importantly, only the bioprinted samples showed a tendency to recover their beating overnight. This platform is a powerful tool for efficiently evaluating the efficacy and toxicity of drugs during the drug development phase. By enabling the mass production of reliable 3D organoids, this technology is expected to significantly reduce the time and cost of new drug
2026 Spring Convention