The ePRINT project proposes a novel tool to utilize 3D printing of polyphenol-based nanostructures to explore how geometric complexity of these plant polymers governs immune activity in human macrophages. We will design and produce a range of macromolecules differing in size and geometric structure, and examine how these structures modulate inflammatory responses in human macrophages. Through an interdisciplinary approach combining natural product chemistry, immunology, and 3D printing and nanotechnology, we aim to show for the first time how the physical and chemical structure of natural phytochemicals imparts immune-modulatory properties.
The project is funded by the Novo Nordisk foundation from 5/2025 to 12/2027, and has partners from Denmark (assist. prof. Andrew R. Williams, University of Copenhagen, and assist. prof. Anpan Han, Danish Technical University) and Finland (prof. JP Salminen, University of Turku).
