In situ and non-cytotoxic cross-linking strategy for 3D printable biomaterials

Area of Science:

• Biomaterials Science
• Tissue Engineering
• Bioprinting Technologies

Background:

• 3D bioprinting enables patient-specific tissue construct fabrication using hydrogels.
• Hydrogel crosslinking is crucial for tailoring structural properties like resolution, swelling, and degradation.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate the efficacy of the Amino Acid (monomer) Decorated and Light Underpinning Conjugation Approach (ANADOLUCA) for crosslinking gelatin-alginate-whey protein isolate hydrogels.
• To evaluate hydrogel properties including printability, biocompatibility, rheology, and mechanical behavior.
• To compare ANADOLUCA with traditional UV and ionic crosslinking methods.

Main Methods:

• Utilized gelatin-alginate-whey protein isolate hydrogels for 3D printing.
• Employed the ANADOLUCA method, a non-invasive photosensitive crosslinking technique.
• Assessed hydrogel printability, biocompatibility, rheological and mechanical properties, swelling, and degradation behavior.
• Compared results with UV and ionic crosslinking.

Main Results:

• The ANADOLUCA method demonstrated successful in situ crosslinking under mild conditions.
• Hydrogel properties were effectively tuned using the ANADOLUCA technique.
• ANADOLUCA showed comparable or improved results to UV and ionic crosslinking for specific properties.

Conclusions:

• The ANADOLUCA method is a promising alternative for crosslinking protein-based hydrogels in 3D bioprinting.
• This technique offers a non-invasive, mild condition approach for bio-ink crosslinking.
• ANADOLUCA provides a versatile platform for developing patient-specific tissue constructs.