# DGIST and POSTECH print 3D human muscle tissue models that reproduce age-related decline in contraction

- Published: 2026-11-05 08:48 UTC
- Section: Life & Health › Biotechnology
- Tags: 3D skeletal muscle model, muscle ageing, biomimetic microtissue, decellularized extracellular matrix, 3D bioprinting, muscle contractile force, mitochondrial function, human-derived cells, DGIST POSTECH
- URL: https://realtech.media/news/rt-4e0c5f923029807690b1c425_dgist_and_postech/

**Teams from DGIST and POSTECH built a laboratory 3D skeletal muscle microtissue from cells of 17- and 68-year-old donors. Tissue from the older donor contracted more weakly.**

![DGIST and POSTECH print 3D human muscle tissue models that reproduce age-related decline in contraction](https://sgzwpqqelzmajkcubgkl.supabase.co/storage/v1/object/public/rt-media/2026/11/b56d38552b806c6b.jpg)
*Louisa Howard, Wikimedia Commons, Public domain*

DGIST (Department of New Biology, Prof. Min-seok Kim) and POSTECH (Department of Mechanical Engineering, Prof. Dong-Woo Cho) have developed a biomimetic 3D skeletal muscle microtissue model, cnbnews.com reports. It reproduces both ageing of human muscle and the decline in contractile function [1].

The team used muscle cells and decellularized extracellular matrix from 17- and 68-year-old donors and 3D-printed unidirectionally aligned tissue, as in real muscle [1]. Tissue from the older donor had thinner fibers, lower mitochondrial function and calcium response, and weaker contractile force than tissue from the younger one [1].

Prof. Kim said the work lays a basis for reproducing ageing-related changes with human cells and assessing contraction at the same time. The team plans to develop it into a tool for studying causes of muscle ageing and verifying the efficacy of therapeutic candidates.

## Sources

1. [cnbnews.com](https://www.cnbnews.com/news/articleView.html?idxno=1022412)

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Source: RealTech, realtech.media — https://realtech.media/news/rt-4e0c5f923029807690b1c425_dgist_and_postech/