{"id":218271,"date":"2025-07-03T11:52:51","date_gmt":"2025-07-03T21:52:51","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.hawaii.edu\/news\/?p=218271"},"modified":"2025-07-03T11:52:51","modified_gmt":"2025-07-03T21:52:51","slug":"bioprinting-to-save-soldiers","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.hawaii.edu\/news\/2025\/07\/03\/bioprinting-to-save-soldiers\/","title":{"rendered":"UH<\/abbr> scientist explores bioprinting to save soldiers"},"content":{"rendered":"Reading time: <\/span> 2<\/span> minutes<\/span><\/span>
\"Barnhill
Jason Barnhill<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

When retired U.S.<\/abbr> Army Col. Jason Barnhill steps into the lab at the University of Â鶹´«Ã½<\/span> at M\u0101noa John A. Burns School of Medicine<\/a> (JABSOM<\/abbr>), he brings more than 30 years of active duty experience and a mission to protect soldiers on the battlefield.<\/p>\n

Barnhill, now an associate professor in JABSOM<\/abbr>\u2019s Department of Cell and Molecular Biology<\/a>, is working to build human tissue models through bioprinting, a cutting-edge technique that uses “bio-inks” instead of plastic to produce organ-like structures. These models, created from human stem cells, could help improve treatments for burns, chemical exposure, antibiotic-resistant bacteria and more.<\/p>\n

This work is part of a new collaboration between UH<\/abbr> M\u0101noa and the Army\u2019s Combat Capabilities Development Command Chemical Biological Center (DEVCOM<\/abbr> CBC<\/abbr>).<\/p>\n

“We plan to use these models for biomedical testing, instead of using animal models,” said Barnhill. “Animal models have various drawbacks that we hope to avoid with our models.”<\/p>\n

Barnhill explains that human-based models are more accurate than testing on animals. “Reactions in human genomes are very distinct to those in ‘little white lab mice,’” he said. “It’s really critical that we develop bioprinting and other advanced manufacturing techniques here in Hawai\u02bbi because we’re so isolated. Ideally we can build up our capacity and then be in a position to assist others.“<\/p>\n

A personal focus on eye health<\/h2>\n<\/p>\n

While the partnership covers a range of threats, Barnhill is particularly drawn to eye research. “I\u2019m especially interested in the cornea\u2026 and how we could make models of the cornea that could then be used to look at chemical exposure or infectious disease exposure,” he said.<\/p>\n

Inspired by a family history of macular degeneration, he\u2019s also exploring the idea of 3D-printed contact lenses that could protect against chemical burns. <\/p>\n

“I’ve been tossing around the idea with some of my colleagues (at DEVCOM<\/abbr>)\u2026maybe being able to 3D print some type of contact lens or other thing that would be protective for the eye,” Barnhill said.<\/p>\n

A return home to Â鶹´«Ã½<\/span><\/h2>\n

Barnhill\u2019s ties to Â鶹´«Ã½<\/span> run deep. After arriving in 2000 for a master\u2019s in biomedical sciences at UH<\/abbr> M\u0101noa, he kept returning—earning his PhD, working at Tripler Hospital, and living in the islands for more than a decade. <\/p>\n

Related UH<\/abbr> News<\/em> story: New UH<\/abbr> manufacturing tech makes wearable health sensors more affordable<\/a>, September 2024<\/span><\/p>\n

“Really, Â鶹´«Ã½<\/span> has become home for me and my family,” he said.<\/p>\n

Now, he\u2019s mentoring undergraduates at JABSOM<\/abbr> and hopes to spark collaborations across UH<\/abbr> M\u0101noa, including with Associate Professor Tyler Ray from the College of Engineering<\/a>, whose lab houses several bioprinting devices. <\/p>\n

“Â鶹´«Ã½<\/span>‘s home for me now, so I want to help my home as much as I can,” said Barnhill. “I\u2019m excited to have the chance to do this work that I think will be beneficial to both our service members and to the people of Â鶹´«Ã½<\/span>.”<\/p>\n

Read more at JABSOM<\/abbr><\/a>.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

A retired Army colonel at JABSOM<\/abbr> is pioneering bioprinting research to develop life-saving treatments for soldiers and civilians alike.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":16,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[30],"tags":[1040,910,179,165,31,1467,1363,9],"class_list":["post-218271","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-research","tag-biomedical-science","tag-cell-and-molecular-biology","tag-college-of-engineering","tag-health","tag-john-a-burns-school-of-medicine","tag-manoa-excellence-in-research","tag-manoa-research","tag-uh-manoa","entry","has-media"],"aioseo_notices":[],"aioseo_head":"\n\t\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t