Andreas Staicu

Master Student

Development and optimization of a bioink based on oxidized alginate-gelatin hydrogel for bioplotting

Betreuer: Jonas Hazur, Prof. Aldo R. Boccaccini

Creating complex three dimensional structures or scaffolds with highly accurate geometries is one of the most important challenges in the field of biofabrication [1]. Different 3D biofabrication techniques for processing of bioinks are available, with extrusion-based bioprinting being the most versatile and popular process. Regarding the narrow fabrication window to achieve appropriate biological and physical properties, development and formulation of printable bioinks for extrusion-based bioplotting is one of the most challenging and important parts, as well as characterization and optimization of the properties, this being in the focus of research activities of the DFG funded Collaborative Research Centre (SFB/TRR 225) “From the fundamentals of biofabrication towards functional tissue models” involving researchers at Universities of Würzburg, Bayreuth and Erlangen-Nuremberg. Hydrogel-blends based on alginate di-aldehyde (ADA), a product of partially oxidized alginate, incorporated with gelatin show promising properties and can be classified as a suitable candidate for bioprinting [2]. The aim of this Master thesis is the development of a matching bioink for extrusion-based bioplotting based on the ADA-gelatin-system and the optimization of the hydrogel formulation as well as the properties regarding processability, printability and cell viability.

[1] Chung, J. H. Y., Naficy, S., Yue, Z., Kapsa, R., Quigley, A., Moulton, S. E., et al. (2013). Bio-ink properties and printability for extrusion printing living cells. Biomaterials Science, 1(7), 763. doi:10.1039/c3bm00012e.

[2] Sarker, B., Papageorgiou, D. G., Silva, R., Zehnder, T., Gul-E-Noor, F., Bertmer, M., et al. (2014). Fabrication of alginate–gelatin crosslinked hydrogel microcapsules and evaluation of the microstructure and physico-chemical properties. Journal of Materials Chemistry B, 2(11), 1470. doi:10.1039/c3tb21509a.