Mrs Cynthia De Courcey

Significant facial disfigurement — whether from injury, cancer, or birth conditions — affects around 1 in 111 people in the UK. Current surgical options often involve trade-offs: man-made implants can trigger immune reactions or become infected, while using the patient’s own tissue means additional surgery, pain, and potential complications.

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Researchers are now exploring whether 3D-printing with biocompatible materials could offer a safer, more personalised alternative. The INTEGRATE project focuses on testing a promising new bio-ink made from nanocellulose that could be used to print custom cartilage implants for reconstructive surgery.

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What this fellowship set out to explore

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With support from a Blond McIndoe Surgical Research Fellowship, plastic surgeon Cynthia de Courcey spent a year at Swansea University developing a laboratory model to test the safety of this new material using human cartilage and skin cells.

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Working under the supervision of Professor Martin Clift and Professor Iain Whitaker, Cynthia focused on biocompatibility — in other words, how well the material interacts with human cells, and whether it triggers inflammation or other harmful responses.

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She carried out systematic testing on the individual components of the bio-ink, using different concentrations and chemical cross-linkers to find the most promising combinations. These early results will inform a final version of the material and guide the next phase of toxicology testing.

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Why this matters

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This research is a critical step toward bringing 3D-printed cartilage implants to the clinic. By using human cells in the lab rather than animal testing, it helps predict how real patients might respond and reduces the risks of using unsafe or poorly performing materials.

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The work is part of a larger effort to create tailored implants that better match a patient’s anatomy and reduce complications — potentially transforming outcomes for people affected by facial disfigurement.

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The wider impact

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While this research is still in progress, it lays the groundwork for future clinical use. It also shows how targeted funding for early-stage studies can support breakthroughs in patient care. Cynthia’s fellowship allowed her to generate the data she needed to successfully apply for further funding and continue her PhD in this field.

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Her work also contributes to a broader framework for testing 3D-printed implants in the lab before they’re used in people — an essential step in making tissue-engineered solutions safer, more effective, and more widely available.

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Next steps

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Cynthia will now refine the 3D model to standardise testing. This includes assessing the structure and porosity of the printed material, and ensuring consistency between batches. Once complete, she will begin full toxicology testing to measure inflammation, cytotoxicity, DNA damage, and oxidative stress.

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The long-term aim is to apply these tests to printed implants seeded with human cells — bringing this technology one step closer to safe use in reconstructive surgery.