VISIBLE: An imaging-driven system for sampling, biofabrication, and manipulation of complex biological models

Abstract

Complex in vitro models (CIVMs), including organoids, spheroids, and bioprinted constructs, have emerged as powerful platforms for recapitulating human tissue architecture and function. However, their inherent heterogeneity and dynamic nature pose significant challenges for standardization, reproducibility, and real-time manipulation. Here, we present VISIBLE (Versatile Imaging-Based Interactive Sampling and Bioprinting System), a modular, imaging-guided platform that integrates real-time monitoring with automated manipulation and 3D bioprinting that addresses these challenges. VISIBLE employs a dual-axis system comprising independently controlled tool-heads and microscope stages, enabling precise spatiotemporal interventions within live cultures. We demonstrate the system capabilities across a range of applications, including morphology- and function-based sampling of organoids and neurospheres, interactive 3D bioprinting, serial scratch assays, and real-time cell-cell interaction studies. Furthermore, we illustrate the system utility in translational contexts through the selective sampling and implantation of patient-derived xenograft organoids. VISIBLE supports long-term culture within an integrated incubation environment and accommodates interchangeable tool-heads for scalable, high-throughput workflows. By enabling closed-loop, feedback-controlled experimentation, VISIBLE addresses some of the critical limitations in existing CIVM platforms and offers a new versatile solution for a wide range of biomedical research applications. This work represents a significant step toward the development of autonomous experimental systems for complex tissue modelling and preclinical investigation.