The Basic Steps to 3D BioPrint a Tissue:
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Preliminary Step: Create the Bio-Ink
Like the Printer you have at home, 3D BioPrinters also need to be loaded with ink, but in this case with Bio-Ink. Bio-Ink is a mixture of cells and a liquid-gel biomaterial. The biomaterial, usually a hydrogel, is blended in with the cells in order to provide more support when the cells are initially being seeded into their positions.
Here is a basic guideline on how to create bio-ink:
1. Extract healthy cells or stem cells from the Patient
2. Culture these cells in Growth Media so they can grow and multiply in number. Growth Media is like a protein shake for cells because it gives them all the right nutrients to promote cell growth and division.
3. Once there is enough cultured cells, mix the cells with a hydrogel, such as aliginate or matrigel.
Like the Printer you have at home, 3D BioPrinters also need to be loaded with ink, but in this case with Bio-Ink. Bio-Ink is a mixture of cells and a liquid-gel biomaterial. The biomaterial, usually a hydrogel, is blended in with the cells in order to provide more support when the cells are initially being seeded into their positions.
Here is a basic guideline on how to create bio-ink:
1. Extract healthy cells or stem cells from the Patient
2. Culture these cells in Growth Media so they can grow and multiply in number. Growth Media is like a protein shake for cells because it gives them all the right nutrients to promote cell growth and division.
3. Once there is enough cultured cells, mix the cells with a hydrogel, such as aliginate or matrigel.
Now that you have your Bio-Ink prepared, you are ready to load the cell into the print cartridge (nozzle tip) of the 3D BioPrinter and begin the printing process.
Basic Steps in the 3D BioPrinting process:
1. Bio-Ink is loaded into the nozzle of the 3D BioPrinter
2. The BioPrinter begins seeding the bio-ink in a specific pattern, layer by layer to match the natural tissue structure you wish to print
3. Once the printing is complete, the printed structure is then placed in growth media to grow and mature. During this maturation period, the biomaterial loaded into the Bio-ink disintegrates allowing the cells to interact more with each other. This increased cell-cell interaction creates stronger bonds between the cells, which consequently allows for stronger shape formation.
4. After a length of aging time, you are left with a solid tissue formation that can be used for transplantation or drug development studies
Basic Steps in the 3D BioPrinting process:
1. Bio-Ink is loaded into the nozzle of the 3D BioPrinter
2. The BioPrinter begins seeding the bio-ink in a specific pattern, layer by layer to match the natural tissue structure you wish to print
3. Once the printing is complete, the printed structure is then placed in growth media to grow and mature. During this maturation period, the biomaterial loaded into the Bio-ink disintegrates allowing the cells to interact more with each other. This increased cell-cell interaction creates stronger bonds between the cells, which consequently allows for stronger shape formation.
4. After a length of aging time, you are left with a solid tissue formation that can be used for transplantation or drug development studies