Engineer Develops 3D-Printed Breast Tissue Scaffolds to Help Cancer Survivors

Katie Weimer's Colorado startup GenesisTissue aims to restore dignity and wholeness for breast cancer survivors.

Feb. 2, 2026 at 4:47am

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Katie Weimer, a biomechanical engineer in Colorado, has launched a startup called GenesisTissue that is developing 3D-printed breast tissue "scaffolds" made from advanced, cell-friendly materials. The goal is to allow breast cancer survivors to regain natural-looking breasts after lumpectomies or mastectomies, without the risks associated with traditional breast implants. Weimer was inspired by the loss of her own mother to breast cancer at a young age.

Why it matters

Breast cancer is one of the most common and deadly cancers for women, with over 300,000 diagnoses per year in the US alone. Current breast reconstruction options often leave survivors with permanent scarring and deformities, which can have significant psychological impacts. Weimer's technology aims to provide a better solution that allows the body to heal itself using the patient's own cells.

The details

Weimer's team at GenesisTissue is creating 3D-printed "scaffolds" made from biocompatible materials. Surgeons would extract fat cells from the patient through liposuction, inject those cells into the scaffold, and implant it to allow the patient's own tissue to regrow. This personalized approach would restore the breast's natural shape without the risks of traditional implants. The scaffolds are designed to be implanted at the time of the cancer surgery to minimize additional procedures.

  • Weimer launched GenesisTissue in 2024.
  • Benchtop and preliminary preclinical data have shown promising results, with Weimer hoping to move to clinical trials soon.

The players

Katie Weimer

A 43-year-old biomechanical engineer who founded the startup GenesisTissue to develop 3D-printed breast tissue scaffolds for breast cancer survivors.

Charles Hull

The inventor of 3D printing and chief technology officer of 3D Systems, who mentored Weimer to "use their intellect to serve humanity in a big way."

Oren Tepper

A renowned plastic surgeon and associate professor at Albert Einstein College of Medicine who has worked with Weimer on multiple surgeries and calls her "one of the most talented biomedical engineers" he's ever met.

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What they’re saying

“The ideal solution would be to implant the scaffold at the time of cancer tissue removal. The scaffold protects the injected fat graft from the pressures and forces of the breast and restores the breast's shape.”

— Katie Weimer, Founder, GenesisTissue

“She's one of the most talented biomedical engineers I've ever met. She's the perfect person to lead this front. Her expertise is not just in 3D printing, but the application of this technology in a way that truly translates into the operating room and patient care.”

— Oren Tepper, Associate Professor of Plastic Surgery, Albert Einstein College of Medicine

“As the father of 3D printing, it has been an honor to see an engineer of Katie's caliber take my initial invention and utilize it in a new way to hopefully benefit women around the world in the not-so-distant future.”

— Charles Hull

What’s next

Weimer and her team at GenesisTissue are continuing rigorous testing and research in hopes of moving their technology into clinical trials soon.

The takeaway

Weimer's work represents a promising advancement in regenerative medicine that could transform breast reconstruction for cancer survivors, allowing them to regain a sense of wholeness and dignity after their treatment. Her personal connection to the issue, stemming from the loss of her own mother, drives her determination to bring this innovative solution to market.