Aberdeen Proving Ground, MD — A new collaboration between the U.S. Army Combat Capabilities Development Command Chemical Biological Center (DEVCOM CBC) and the University of Hawaii (UH) System is set to advance warfighter survivability through innovative biomaterials and advanced manufacturing technologies.
The partnership is established under a cooperative research and development agreement (CRADA) along with two joint work statements (JWS), marking a significant step in developing solutions for various challenges faced by the U.S. military.
The initial focus of collaboration is on creating organ-on-a-chip scientific tools and enhancing advanced manufacturing and repair capabilities tailored for the United States Indo-Pacific Command (USINDOPACOM), which is headquartered in Hawaii.
The agreement and the first JWS were initiated on March 14, 2025. Dr. Jason Barnhill, an associate research professor at the John A. Burns School of Medicine at the University of Hawaii at Mānoa, and Priscilla Lee, a bioengineering researcher at DEVCOM CBC, will lead efforts to develop organ models intended for assessing various compounds crucial to the Department of Defense (DoD).
This groundbreaking work aims to advance existing in vitro organ models by incorporating bioprinting technologies. The goal is to improve defenses against burns, harmful gas exposure, antibiotic-resistant bacteria, and various chemical and biological threats that the warfighters may encounter.
Bioprinting employs cell-based inks to create three-dimensional structures, such as skin layers, allowing researchers to better understand and assess potential treatments for the threats faced by soldiers in the field.
Lee’s research at DEVCOM CBC focuses on creating bioprinted cell culture models to study immune responses and construct next-generation biomaterials for a range of applications. This collaboration offers a unique opportunity to reinforce bioprinting initiatives at DEVCOM CBC while establishing deployable bioprinting stations at UH Mānoa. These stations are envisioned to function under austere conditions, ultimately enhancing the Army’s operational capabilities in remote locations.
Dean of the University of Hawaii at Mānoa’s JABSOM, Sam Shomaker, expressed pride in the partnership, highlighting the potential impact on not only frontline soldiers but also civilians globally.
“By helping to introduce innovative biofabrication technology to even more remote areas, JABSOM is assisting in the mission across the Pacific and globally,” Shomaker stated.
In addition to the development of organ-on-a-chip technologies, the second joint work statement under the CRADA aims to leverage the advanced manufacturing research capabilities available within the UH System. The agreement is designed to establish a broader network that enhances regional collaboration.
This extensive network has the potential to improve supply chain resilience, foster defense innovation, promote information sharing, and enable cooperative efforts between parties involved.
The DEVCOM Chemical Biological Center plays a crucial role within the Department of Defense as the leading technical organization focused on non-medical chemical and biological defense. Committed to protecting military personnel, the Center concentrates its efforts on the research, development, testing, and implementation of technologies that shield against chemical and biological threats.
With a highly skilled, multidisciplinary workforce, the DEVCOM Chemical Biological Center operates from multiple locations including Aberdeen Proving Ground in Maryland, Pine Bluff Arsenal in Arkansas, Rock Island Arsenal in Illinois, and Dugway Proving Ground in Utah, ensuring a comprehensive approach to chemical biological defense across the nation.
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