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INTERVIEW

Mimics Innovation Awards 2025 Finalist: Jonathan Clark

1 min read|Published July 24, 2026

3D-Printed Patient-Specific Artificial Bone Enables Titanium-Free Reconstruction of Large Mandibular Defects

What was the dream?

To 3D print patient-specific artificial bone for reconstructing large oncological bone defects that avoid the need for morbid bone grafts and titanium plates that interfere with radiotherapy and radiological surveillance. 

What was the challenge?

To reconstruct segmental bone defects in sheep mandibles without the need for titanium plates. Sheep masticate for 7 – 8 hours per day, placing accelerated mechanical demands on the artificial bone. This has never been done before. 

What are the results?

We used a hybrid artificial bone scaffold composed of plasma-treated, laser-sintered polyether ketone and 3D-printed beta-tricalcium phosphate infused with ADSC-laden GelMA. All implants successfully osseointegrated, enabling normal long-term masticatory function.

Why did this research place in the finals?

This paper presents a novel perspective on the treatment of patients requiring bone reconstruction and reflects an important shift from grafting toward personalized solutions. The approach offers potential clinical advantages, including improved predictability and the possibility of avoiding metal implants.

The study is supported by a robust validation strategy, including the use of a sheep model, which strengthens confidence in the findings. Although the approach is not applicable in pediatric patients because the material is not bioresorbable, it remains an innovative and credible contribution with the potential to influence future treatment strategies.

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Professor Jonathan Clarke, Head & Neck Surgeon, Chris O' Brien Lifehouse

Biography

Professor Jonathan Clark

Professor Jonathan Clark AM is a Head and Neck Surgeon at Chris O’Brien Lifehouse and Royal Prince Alfred Hospital in Sydney, where he combines clinical practice with translational research and innovation in reconstructive surgery. He is Director of Head and Neck Cancer Research at Chris O’Brien Lifehouse, Director of Translational Research at the Royal Prince Alfred Institute of Academic Surgery, and conjoint Chair and Clinical Professor at the University of Sydney. In 2020, he was appointed the inaugural Lang Walker Family Foundation Chair in Head and Neck Cancer Reconstructive Surgery.


Professor Clark completed his medical training at the University of New South Wales and later undertook advanced fellowship training in head and neck oncologic and reconstructive surgery at the University Health Network in Toronto, Canada. His clinical expertise includes salivary gland tumors, precision jaw reconstruction, and transoral robotic surgery.


His research focuses on metastatic skin cancer, oral cancer, jaw reconstruction, and facial reconstruction, and he has authored more than 300 peer-reviewed publications. He also leads the multi-institutional Cancer Institute NSW head and neck cancer translational research program and established the Integrated Prosthetics and Reconstruction program in 2021, which combines advanced reconstructive techniques with point-of-care 3D printing of customized medical devices. He was appointed a Member of the Order of Australia in 2019 in recognition of his contributions to head and neck surgery.

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