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Screen Printing Tissue Models Using Chemically Cross-Linked Hydrogel Systems: A Simple Approach To Efficiently Make
Narendra Pandala1, Michael A LaScola1, Yanchun Tang2
1Chemical, Biochemical and Environmental Engineering, University of Maryland Baltimore County, Baltimore, Maryland 21250, Piscataway Territories, United States.
ACS Biomaterials Science & Engineering
|October 22, 2021
Summary
Researchers developed new synthetic hydrogels for 3D cell culture bioinks. These poly(ethylene glycol) (PEG) and poly-l-lysine (PLL) hydrogels offer tunable properties for advanced in vitro models.
Area of Science:
- Biomaterials Science
- Tissue Engineering
- Cell Biology
Background:
- In vitro models are crucial for drug screening and understanding cellular mechanisms.
- 3D cultures better mimic in vivo environments than 2D cultures.
- Previous work utilized gelatin bioinks for screen printing live cells.
Purpose of the Study:
- To synthesize and characterize novel synthetic hydrogel systems for bioink applications.
- To evaluate poly(ethylene glycol) (PEG) and poly-l-lysine (PLL) hydrogels for screen printing.
- To provide tunable biomaterials for creating advanced in vitro cellular microenvironments.
Main Methods:
- Synthesis of chemically cross-linked PEG and PLL hydrogel systems.
- Mechanical testing to characterize hydrogel properties.
- Application of hydrogels as bioinks in a screen printing process.
Main Results:
- Successful synthesis and characterization of two synthetic hydrogel systems.
- Demonstrated suitability of PEG and PLL hydrogels as bioinks for screen printing.
- Hydrogels provide a tunable platform for creating controlled cellular microenvironments.
Conclusions:
- Synthetic PEG and PLL hydrogels are effective bioinks for screen printing.
- These hydrogels offer tunable mechanical and chemical properties for in vitro models.
- The developed systems advance the creation of biomimetic cellular microenvironments.
