3D Bioplotter Research Papers

[The construction industry is one of the main contributors to environmental pollution due to its significant carbon footprint. Consequently, there is a need to find ways to mitigate the negative impact associated with this economic activity. One solution is the use of materials derived from natural sources, presenting themselves as an alternative to conventional materials, given their high energy consumption and use of increasingly scarce natural resources. Mycelium composites (MCCs) are an example of these new options; however, their applications are limited by the common molding manufacturing method. The overall objective of this research is the development of a mycelium-composite…

BACKGROUND: Uneven secretion of matrix and insufficient mechanical strength are important factors affecting the formation effect of tissue engineering constructs in vivo. Mechanical stimulation is an effective means to promote the secretion of extracellular matrix. OBJECTIVE: To explore the biological performance of 3D bioprinted composite scaffolds under mechanical stimulation. METHODS: The chondrocyte-gelatin methacryloyl composite scaffold was prepared and printed by 3D bioprinting technology. Cell survival was observed by live/dead cell staining. The composite scaffolds were placed in a mechanical pressurized bioreactor for pressurized culture. The composite scaffolds cultured in a 6-well plate without pressurization were used as the control. Live/dead…

The realization of a fully bioengineered, functional corneal tissue is challenging. The development of full-thickness corneal models requires appropriate material fabrication methods as well as cell culture protocols. Here we describe the construction of a full-thickness corneal model (FCM) using electro-compacted (EC) collagen films. EC collagen films support primary human corneal epithelial cell (hCEpiC) stratification, guide primary human corneal stromal cell (hCSC) orientation and maintain primary human corneal endothelial cell (hCEndC) growth and confluence. Using fibrinogen as a tissue adhesive we assembled all three layers to produce a full-thickness corneal construct with structural integrity. Importantly, the FCM is highly transparent…

Finding an ideal scaffold is always an important issue in the field of cartilage tissue engineering. Both decellularized extracellular matrix and silk fibroin have been used as natural biomaterials for tissue regeneration. In this study, a secondary crosslinking method of γ irradiation and ethanol induction was used to prepare decellularized cartilage extracellular matrix and silk fibroin (dECM-SF) hydrogels with biological activity. Furthermore, the dECM-SF hydrogels were cast in custom-designed molds to produce a three-dimensional multi-channeled structure to improve internal connectivity. The adipose-derived stromal cells (ADSC) were seeded on the scaffolds, cultured in vitro for 2 weeks, and implanted in vivo…

Three-dimensional (3D)-printed bioactive scaffolds that can be produced rapidly could offer an individualized approach for treating full-thickness skin defects. Decellularized extracellular matrix (dECM) and mesenchymal stem cells have been proven to support wound healing. Adipose tissues obtained by liposuction are rich in adipose-derived dECM (adECM) and adipose-derived stem cells (ADSCs) and thus represent a natural source of bioactive materials for 3D bioprinting. Herein, ADSC-laden 3D-printed bioactive scaffolds consisting of gelatin methacryloyl (GelMA), hyaluronic acid methacryloyl (HAMA), and adECM were fabricated with dual properties of photocrosslinking in vitro and thermosensitive crosslinking in vivo. adECM was prepared by decellularization of human lipoaspirate…

Senile osteoporosis is characterized by age-related bone loss and bone microarchitecture deterioration. However, little is known to date about the mechanism that maintains bone homeostasis during aging. In this study, we identify adenosine monophosphate-activated protein kinase alpha 1 (AMPKα1) as a critical factor regulating the senescence and lineage commitment of mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs). A phospho-mutant mouse model shows that constitutive AMPKα1 activation prevents age-related bone loss and promoted MSC osteogenic commitment with increased bone-derived insulin-like growth factor 1 (IGF-1) secretion. Mechanistically, upregulation of IGF-1 signalling by AMPKα1 depends on cAMP-response element binding protein (CREB)-mediated transcriptional regulation. Furthermore, the essential…

A polarized ferroelectric material can initiate the micro-electrolysis of water molecules which leads to the formation of reactive oxygen species (ROS) in an aqueous solution resulting in selective bacteria killing. This study presents the fabrication, characterization, and antimicrobial performance of poled ferroelectric particulate composites. Barium calcium zirconate titanate (BCZT) micro-powder is synthesized by a solid-state reaction and mechanically mixed with polycaprolactone (PCL) to be subsequently fed into the 3D bioprinter for the fabrication of porous PCL-BCZT structures at four different ceramic loadings (0, 10, 20, 30 wt%). For the examination of material’s capacity to handle extremely high contamination, the composites…

Soft strain sensors with high sensitivity and the ability to recover from damages are required in the emerging field of self-healing soft robotics. Herein, printable supercapacitive strain sensors that can heal upon moderate heating (75 °C for 10 min) and exhibit a 30 times higher sensitivity than PDMS-based sensors are developed. For the sensor’s core layer and electrode, a nitrile-functional polysiloxane that contains an active ionic initiator and can heal by siloxane equilibration at elevated temperatures is used. Supercapacitive strain sensors prepared from the elastomer are highly sensitive at low strains of 0-30%, enabled by the electric double-layer formation of…

In this study, a 3D-printed graphene oxide (GO)/calcium alginate (CA) hybrid network (3D GO/CA) with excellent U(VI) adsorption performance was constructed using direct ink writing-based 3D printing technology and in situ calcium ion cross-linking technology. The GO and CA sheets in 3D GO/CA were stacked layer by layer. Meanwhile, the 3D multilayered pore structure with large-scale characteristics was constructed. Furthermore, the pore structure was orderly arranged, with abundant active adsorption sites (oxygen-containing functional groups/Ca2+ binding sites) exposed. The adsorption experiment results showed that 3D GO/CA exhibited a wide valid pH range (3-12) and excellent adsorption capacity for U(VI) in a…

This research aimed to substantiate the potential practicality of utilizing a matrix-like platform, a novel 3D-printed biomaterial scaffold, to enhance and guide host cells’ growth for bone tissue regeneration. The 3D biomaterial scaffold was successfully printed using a 3D Bioplotter® (EnvisionTEC, GmBH) and characterized. Osteoblast-like MG63 cells were utilized to culture the novel printed scaffold over a period of 1, 3, and 7 days. Cell adhesion and surface morphology were examined using scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and optical microscopy, while cell viability was determined using MTS assay and cell proliferation was evaluated using a Leica microsystem (Leica MZ10 F). The…