R3BEL is a desktop 3D bioprinter that comes with optional related curriculum for high school and college students to have a hands-on opportunity to learn about bioprinting and other science related industry skills. The bioprinting curriculum covers applications in the biomedical, healthcare and biofuels industry. The product was designed to bring more affordable 3D bioprinters into the science classroom and shorten the gap between student training and skills expected of them in industry, particularly in STEM related fields. The R3BEL Bioprinter can be purchased directly or leased, while the bioprinting curriculum is sold separately.

APPROACH

The R3BEL Bioprinter can print cells (but not human organs) and is about the size of a microscope used in classrooms. The product can automatically print a large amount of cells in a short period of time and can be used to support common high school / college experiments such as growing bacteria cells or molds. For example, in the experiment of observing the effects of different detergents on bacteria, the R3BEL Bioprinter allows teachers to automatically print hundreds of different bacteria cultures, allowing each student to have much more test groups than they could in the past.

The bioprinting curriculum best supports groups of four to five students. Details on the curriculum have yet to be disclosed.

IMPLEMENTATION

A computer connected to the R3BEL Bioprinter is required for bioprinting while the curriculums are optional.

PRICING

The R3BEL Bioprinter can either be purchased directly or leased. As of October 2015, its estimated cost is around $5,000. Cost of the curriculums for bioprinting were not disclosed.

WHO IS USING IT

As of October 2015, R3BEL is still in development, but has scheduled a pilot program launch with three school districts in the Bay Area in January of 2016.