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3D bioprinted silk fibroin hydrogels for tissue engineering.
Soon Hee Kim1, Heesun Hong1, Olatunji Ajiteru1
1Nano-Bio Regenerative Medical Institute, College of Medicine, Hallym University, Chuncheon, Republic of Korea.
Nature Protocols
|October 30, 2021
Summary
Researchers developed a novel silk fibroin (SF) bioink for 3D bioprinting, enhancing tissue engineering with stable, biocompatible hydrogels. This printable material shows promise for nerve regeneration and wound healing applications.
Area of Science:
- Biomaterials Science
- Tissue Engineering
- Regenerative Medicine
Background:
- Growing demand for advanced biomaterials in tissue engineering.
- Need for biocompatible and precisely printable bioinks for 3D bioprinting.
Purpose of the Study:
- To develop a methacrylated photocurable silk fibroin (SF) bioink for digital light processing 3D bioprinting.
- To generate 3D structures with high mechanical stability and biocompatibility for tissue engineering.
Main Methods:
- Synthesis of photocurable methacrylated SF bioink (2 weeks).
- Fabrication of 3D hydrogels using digital light processing (1.5 h).
- Characterization of bioink properties: methacrylation, printability, mechanical, rheological, and biocompatibility.
Main Results:
- Developed a versatile methacrylated SF bioink.
- Demonstrated tunable physicochemical properties by adjusting photopolymerization conditions.
- Showcased potential applications in nerve tissue engineering (with graphene oxide) and wound healing.
Conclusions:
- The developed SF bioink is suitable for digital light processing 3D bioprinting.
- The bioink offers high mechanical stability and biocompatibility.
- The material shows broad applicability in tissue engineering and regenerative medicine, including trachea tissue engineering.
