High-precision three-dimensional inkjet technology for live cell bioprinting.

Area of Science:

• Biotechnology
• Regenerative Medicine
• Tissue Engineering

Background:

• Bioprinting is crucial for creating 3D tissues for regenerative medicine and in vitro screening.
• Existing bioprinting methods face challenges in precision and cell viability.

Purpose of the Study:

• To develop an advanced inkjet-based bioprinting system for precise 3D tissue fabrication.
• To demonstrate the capability of the system for handling multiple cell types and creating stratified structures.

Main Methods:

• A novel inkjet printhead was designed for live cell ejection, utilizing piezoelectric vibrations and mixing to prevent nozzle clogging.
• The system's stable drop-on-demand dispensing and cell viability were validated over extended periods.
• Sequential printing of different cell types and hydrogel layers was performed to create 3D constructs.

Main Results:

• The inkjet bioprinting system demonstrated stable dispensing and maintained high cell viability.
• Precise control over cell number and spatial positioning was achieved using multiple cell suspensions.
• Stratified 3D structures with controlled vertical resolution were successfully fabricated.

Conclusions:

• Inkjet bioprinting technology is effective for both 2D patterning and 3D multilayering.
• The developed system offers high precision for live cell bioprinting.
• This technology holds significant potential for advancing tissue engineering and regenerative medicine applications.