Dmitrij Wist

Master student

Evaluation of Naturally Derived Photo-Responsive Bioinks for Drop-on-Demand Bioprinting Applications

Supervisors: Dr. Rainer Detsch, Prof. Aldo R. Boccaccini

3D-printed hydrogels that can be crosslinked through photopolymerization have recently gained significant attention due to their potential in various biomedical applications, including tissue engineering and drug delivery. By brief exposure to UV light, hydrogels can be crosslinked in a minimally invasive manner, and the impact on cells and bioactive molecules can be minimized by selecting appropriate parameters [1]. The controlled deposition of cells within a bioink to precise locations and areas offers new possibilities in the field of tissue engineering and biofabrication [2]. However, cell viability, cell migration and tissue maturation are particularly influenced during the printing process [3].

In this work, various cell types are incorporated into photocrosslinkable different bioinks (e.g. ADAMa, GELMa, etc.) using DoD printing. The aim is to realize precise structures with cell laden hydrogels. The effect of the printing process and the cross-linking process on cell behavior will be investigated, with analyses focusing on cell morphology and cell proliferation.

[1] Oju Jeon et al. Photocrosslinked alginate hydrogels with tunable biodegradation rates and mechanical properties, Biomaterials 30 (2009) 2724-2734.

[2] E. Karakaya, et al., Targeted Printing of Cells: Evaluation of ADA-PEG Bioinks for Drop on Demand Approaches, Gels 8 (2022) 206.

[3] Jia Shi et al. Shear stress analysis and its effects on cell viability and cell proliferation in drop-on-demand bioprinting, Biomedical Physics & Engineering Express, 4 (2018), 4.