Bio-Sprayed/Threaded Microalgae Remain Viable and Indistinguishable from Controls.

Area of Science:

• Biomaterials Engineering
• Regenerative Medicine
• Microalgal Biotechnology

Background:

• Microalgae show promise for wound healing due to oxygen generation.
• Developing methods to incorporate microalgae into biomaterials is crucial for therapeutic applications.
• Existing fabrication techniques require validation for their impact on microalgal viability.

Purpose of the Study:

• To assess the safety and efficacy of bio-jetting and threading technologies for handling living microalgae.
• To fabricate microalgae-bearing architectures (beads, scaffolds) for potential wound healing applications.
• To ensure microalgal integrity at a molecular level after processing.

Main Methods:

• Utilized electric field (bio-electrospraying, cell electrospinning) and non-electric field (aerodynamically assisted bio-jetting/threading) technologies.
• Processed microalgae in suspension and within polymeric suspensions.
• Fabricated microalgae-loaded beads and fiber/scaffold architectures.

Main Results:

• Demonstrated safe handling of living microalgae using jetting and threading technologies.
• Successfully formed microalgae-bearing architectures, including beads and scaffolds.
• Established that the fabrication processes do not negatively affect microalgae at a molecular level.

Conclusions:

• Bio-jetting and threading technologies can safely encapsulate living microalgae into functional architectures.
• These methods provide a foundation for developing novel microalgae-based wound healing materials.
• Further investigation into biomechanical properties of these living architectures is warranted.