Girl in Wales set to be first to benefit from pioneering research into 3D bioprinting using human cells

A 10-year-old girl from Wales is set to get a new lab-built ear thanks to a £2.5 million pioneering research project at Swansea, funded by The Scar Free Foundation and Health and Care Research Wales.

Radiyah, from Milford Haven, Pembrokeshire, has a condition known as microtia and was born without a properly formed left ear.

Now she is set to get a new ear after scientists at Swansea University began using 3D printing to build human cartilage.

The current skin graft technology for ear reconstruction involves leaving a scar on the skull and breast area, where cartilage would be taken from. By developing the ear in the lab, Radiyah will remain scar-free.

Her father, Rana, said it would "help boost her confidence".

The three-year programme at Swansea University aims to revolutionise surgeons’ ability to reconstruct nose and ear cartilage.

It is hoped the science will be used for future treatment of people born without body parts or who have facial scarring as a result of burns, trauma or cancer.

People without fully developed ears or noses have told researchers they would prefer their own tissue is used for reconstruction instead of existing plastic prostheses.

Cartilage is the main type of connective tissue in the body which provides a framework for bone structure to develop.

A patient's stem cells will be grown on to the cartilage structure in preparation for facial reconstruction.

This process will also avoid the need to take cartilage from elsewhere in the body and so reduce any further scarring.

One in 100 people in the UK have a significant facial difference, and this can have a profound effect on the mental health of patients.

The research will be combined with the world’s largest study of people living with facial scars to assess the psychosocial impacts on patients – in terms of experiences of anxiety or depression - so that effective healthcare strategies can be developed and appropriately targeted.

Professor Iain Whitaker, Health and Care Research Wales Specialty Lead for surgery, and Chair of Plastic Surgery at Swansea University Medical School said:

I am grateful for this significant investment and support from The Scar Free Foundation and Health and Care Research Wales which will accelerate our ongoing research efforts to offer pioneering treatment options to patients and recruit further world class researchers into Wales.

Successful translation of this research programme will transform the future of surgery, removing the need to transfer tissue from one part of the body to another and avoid the associated pain and scarring.”

Head of Programmes at Health and Care Research Wales, Michael Bowdery said:

This pioneering programme has the potential to change the lives of people around the world. We’re pleased to be working in partnership with The Scar Free Foundation to fund world-leading research, which under the leadership of Professor Whitaker could make such a difference.”