Building a 3D Future, Together: Highlights from Our First RASTRUM User Group Meeting

This June, we brought together leading scientists from across Australia for a milestone moment: the very first RASTRUM User Group Meeting, held at Inventia’s headquarters in Sydney.

Over two full days of presentations, workshops, and networking, attendees shared scientific progress, technical insights, and practical experiences using the RASTRUM platform. From foundational model optimization to advanced clinical applications, the event highlighted not only the power of 3D culture, but the strength of a growing user community.

Innovation in Action

Each session was built around real-world applications and cutting-edge research. Speakers from institutions including the University of Technology Sydney (UTS), Walter and Eliza Hall Institute (WEHI), Defence Science and Technology Group (DSTG), Curtin University, Macquarie University, and Children’s Cancer Institute (CCI) presented work spanning ovarian cancer co-cultures, liver toxicology models, defense-related drug screening, and more.

Across use cases, a few themes kept coming up:

• The importance of tunable matrices to support diverse cell types and disease models
• The value of using patient-derived cells to preserve translational relevance
• The need for scalable workflows that accelerate discovery without compromising complexity

These talks underscored just how adaptable the RASTRUM platform is—and how researchers are customizing it to answer the questions that matter most.

From Bench to Bedside: Translational Impact

A major focus of the meeting was functional precision oncology. Talks from Macquarie University and PMCC demonstrated how patient-derived cells can be used to generate miniaturized tumors in hydrogel matrices, enabling high-throughput screening in timelines aligned with clinical decision-making.

We also heard case studies involving RASTRUM-generated models of head and neck squamous cell carcinoma, colorectal cancer, and neuroblastoma—offering powerful proof points for how 3D models are advancing personalized treatment strategies in real time.

As one attendee put it:

“The event was a great experience, offering invaluable insights and networking opportunities. The quality of the presentations and the engaging discussions made it a truly worthwhile investment of my time. I left feeling inspired and with a renewed perspective on my work and new connections forged going forward.” – Mark Li, Peter MacCallum Cancer Centre

Hands-On Learning and Peer Support

The program also included small-group workshops designed to deepen technical knowledge and build confidence in the platform. Topics included:

• Assay design for immunofluorescence and imaging
• Matrix optimization
• Cell handling and co-culture setup
• Troubleshooting protocols

Whether attendees were new to RASTRUM or experienced users, these sessions provided practical tools to take back to the lab.

User-Driven Innovation

During a dedicated feedback session, participants met with Inventia’s product and development teams to share ideas and requests. Suggestions included new viability workflows, enhanced user permissions in RASTRUM Cloud, and improved PrintRun management features.

This dialogue is already influencing our roadmap. For us, it’s invaluable, and for our users, it’s empowering.

“The RASTRUM User Group Meeting was a fantastic opportunity to meet and re-connect with likeminded bioprinting researchers in Australia—to begin a community where we can help each other advance our projects.” – Ben Dwyer, Curtin University

The Beginning of Something Bigger

Our first UGM was more than just a gathering—it was a signal that the 3D biology community is gaining momentum. With the recent launch of RASTRUM Allegro, it’s never been easier to scale complex models with speed and reproducibility.

We’re now looking ahead to our next milestone: a virtual 3D Biology Summit hosted in collaboration with The Scientist. This global event will feature U.S.-based researchers sharing their own RASTRUM stories and is designed to expand the conversation even further.

“Inventia did an amazing job creating a vibrant and thought-provoking group meeting. I learned a lot and can’t wait for the next one!” – Andrew Farrell, WEHI

To everyone who joined us in Sydney: thank you for being part of this journey.

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