Recent Advances in 3D Printing with Protein-Based Inks.

Area of Science:

• Biomaterials Science
• Regenerative Medicine
• 3D Printing Technology

Background:

• Proteins are vital for biological structures and functions.
• 3D printing enables custom fabrication of complex structures.
• Protein-based inks offer biocompatibility and degradability for biomedical applications.

Purpose of the Study:

• To review advances in 3D printing using protein-based inks.
• To discuss challenges and opportunities in protein ink formulation.
• To highlight the biomedical utility of protein-based 3D printed materials.

Main Methods:

• Review of photo-crosslinking mechanisms and rheological principles in 3D printing.
• Analysis of recent developments in monolithic and composite protein inks (collagen, silk, fibrinogen).
• Exploration of protein material characteristics (amino acid sequence, assembly, conformation) for ink design.

Main Results:

• Protein-based inks present unique advantages for in vivo applications, including mechanical and chemical tissue matching and host integration.
• Challenges in protein ink formulation include rheological properties and replicating natural structural hierarchy.
• Advances in protein ink design leverage inherent material characteristics for controlled 3D printing.

Conclusions:

• 3D printing with protein-based inks holds significant promise for tissue engineering and regenerative medicine.
• Understanding protein material properties is crucial for designing effective printing inks.
• Future research directions focus on overcoming current limitations and expanding biomedical applications.