Search Results (93)

Calcium phosphate cements (CPCs) and biomaterials, such as mesoporous bioactive glass (MBG), are critical for bone tissue engineering. This study aimed to 3D-print CPC scaffolds modified with MBG to enhance their osteogenic potential and regenerative ability. MBG powder was synthesized and characterized using transmission electron microscopy (TEM), X-ray diffraction (XRD), and nitrogen adsorption–desorption techniques. A commercial CPC ink (hydroxyapatite/α-tricalcium phosphate) was mixed with 5% MBG (w/w; CPC/MBG), and, after rheological assessment, the mixture was used to obtain scaffolds via 3D printing. These scaffolds were then tested for chemical, morphological, and mechanical properties, as well as ion release analysis. Unmodified CPC 3D-printed scaffolds served as controls. Biological experiments, including cell viability, DNA content, cell adhesion/spreading, and osteogenic gene expression, were performed by seeding alveolar bone-derived mesenchymal stem cells onto the scaffolds. Statistics were performed using Student’s t-test and ANOVA with post hoc tests (α = 5%). MBG characterization showed a typical mesoporous structure with aligned microchannels and an amorphous structure. Both formulations released calcium and phosphate ions; however, CPC/MBG also released silicon. Cell viability, adhesion/spreading, and DNA content were significantly greater in CPC/MBG scaffolds compared to CPC (p < 0.05) after 3 and 7 days of culture. Furthermore, CPC/MBG supported increased expression of key osteogenic genes, including collagen (COL1A1), osteocalcin (OCN), and Runt-related transcription factor 2 (RUNX2), after 14 days (p < 0.05). The combination of CPC ink with MBG particles effectively enhances the biocompatibility and osteogenic potential of the scaffold, making it an innovative bioceramic ink formulation for 3D printing personalized scaffolds for bone regeneration. Full article

Biomaterials are either cross-linked ionically, chemically, or physically, or they can be functionalized with amino acids to overcome inherent biocompatibility and stability limitations. Hydrogels for scaffold fabrication have been effectively utilized to promote tissue integration and cellular processes for soft tissue regeneration. Despite significant progress, poor remodeling limitations persist, hence the need for cross-linkers with dynamic adaptability, native tissue mimicry, and controllable degradation. The aim of this review is to highlight cysteine’s capability and potential to cross-link biomaterials using thiol chemistry while discussing the different cross-linking strategies to aid in the fabrication of robust hydrogel inks and bioinks. Furthermore, cysteine’s limitations and research scarcity in soft tissue scaffolds are highlighted for its chemical significance and potential role. The review examines cysteine’s thiol reactions, including disulfide bonds, thiol–ene, thiol–yne, and Michael additions, and cross-linking ability, with a specialized focus on adipose tissue regeneration. The fabrication methods reviewed include 3D bioprinting, electrospinning, films, and nanostructured scaffolds, with a primary focus on 3D bioprinting of hydrogel scaffolds. Cysteine cross-linking enhances the scaffolds’ stability, printability, biocompatibility, degradability, and biological performance of scaffolds with an 85% increase in Young’s modulus. Cysteine adequately enhances the mechanical properties and degradation rates of adipose tissue scaffolds. This review addresses the underexplored use of cysteine cross-linking in soft tissue scaffolds, beyond its common bone tissue applications. Full article

Three-dimensional (3D) bioprinting has become one of the most advanced and useful innovations that allows the creation of personalized macroscopic and microscopic constructs at different scales that match a patient’s anatomy. Intensive research efforts are currently underway to develop highly printable and biocompatible materials. Among the variety of bioprinting materials (i.e., biomaterial inks), naturally derived hydrogels have attracted great interest due to their beneficial properties in terms of biocompatibility, cost-effectiveness, and biodegradability. In this proceeding paper, we provide an overview of the formulation and use of three functional polysaccharides as ink-based hydrogels. First, 3D bioprinting is summarized as revolutionary technology that is able to create cell-laden structures layer by layer in a specific pattern that mimics native tissue and organs. Cellulose, chitosan, and lignin are presented below, followed by an overview of their applicability in 3D bioprinting, focusing on printability and the resulting printed 3D structures as illustrated in various published figures. In the same way, a comparative overview of 3D bioprinting applications is summarized. Finally, a section dedicated to comparisons, limitations, and crosslinking strategies is provided. It is worth noting that this proceedings paper provides a brief overview rather than a comprehensive review, as it is limited by page constraints and is based on the content of our poster presented at the 1st International Online Conference on Bioengineering. Full article

The increasing demand for novel tissue engineering (TE) applications in bone tissue regeneration underscores the importance of exploring advanced manufacturing techniques and biomaterials for personalised treatment approaches. Three-dimensional printing (3DP) technology facilitates the development of implantable devices with intricate geometries, enabling patient-specific therapeutic solutions. Although Fused Filament Fabrication (FFF) and Direct Ink Writing (DIW) are widely utilised for fabricating bone-like implants, the need for multiple processing steps often prolongs the overall production time. In this study, a single-step melt-extrusion 3DP technique was performed to develop multi-material scaffolds including bioceramics, hydroxyapatite (HA), and β-tricalcium phosphate (TCP) in both their bioactive and calcined forms at 10% and 20% w/w, within polycaprolactone (PCL) matrices. Printing parameters were optimised, and physicochemical properties of all biomaterials and final forms were evaluated. Thermal degradation and surface morphology analyses assessed the consistency and distribution of the ceramics across the different formulations. The tensile testing of the scaffolds defined the impact of each ceramic type and wt% on scaffold flexibility performance, while in vitro cell studies determined the cytocompatibility efficiency. Hence, all 3D-printed PCL–ceramic composite scaffolds achieved structural integrity and physicochemical and thermal stability. The mechanical profile of extruded samples was relevant to the ceramic consistency, providing valuable insights for further mechanotransduction investigations. Notably, all materials showed high cell viability and proliferation, indicating strong biocompatibility. Therefore, this additive manufacturing (AM) process is a precise and fast approach for developing biomaterial-based scaffolds, with potential applications in surgical restoration and support of segmental bone defects. Full article

Organ failure constitutes a significant global concern requiring urgent attention. While organ transplantation offers prospective treatment, it remains suboptimal. The scarcity of donor organs and the need for lifelong immunosuppressive treatments highlight the necessity for innovative approaches in regenerative medicine. In response, tissue engineering has emerged as a promising alternative, particularly through advancements in three-dimensional (3D) and four-dimensional (4D) printing technologies. These approaches enable the fabrication of complex, patient-specific constructs for regenerating tissues such as skin, bone, cartilage, and vascularized organs. This review systematically examines 3D printing techniques, commonly used biomaterials (e.g., hydrogels, bio-inks, and polymers), and their applications in dermal, cardiovascular, bone, and neural regeneration. In addition to discussing 3D technology, an introduction to 4D bioprinting is provided, enabling advanced biomedical applications and establishing itself as an innovative tool that enhances the classic approach to 3D bioprinting in the context of regenerative medicine. Finally, key challenges and ethical considerations are discussed to provide a comprehensive perspective on the current state and future of printed scaffolds in regenerative medicine. Full article

Approximately 20–30% of cultivated oyster mushrooms (Pleurotus ostreatus) are classified as low grade due to morphological and visual imperfections or mechanical damage, representing significant waste in mushroom production systems. This review examines the structural and biochemical properties of P. ostreatus, particularly focusing on cell wall components including chitin, β-glucans, and mannogalactans, which provide crucial rheological characteristics for 3D printing. The literature results demonstrate that these natural polysaccharides contribute essential viscosity, water-binding capacity, and mechanical stability required for printable edible inks. Notably, the mushroom stipe contains significantly higher concentrations of glucans compared to the cap, with 57% more α-glucans and 33% more β-glucans. The unique combination of rigidity from chitin, elasticity from β-glucans, and water retention capabilities creates printable structures that maintain shape fidelity while delivering nutritional benefits. This approach addresses dual challenges in sustainable food systems by reducing agricultural waste streams while advancing eco-friendly food innovation. The integration of mushroom-derived biomaterials into 3D printing technologies offers a promising pathway toward developing nutrient-rich, functional foods within a regenerative production model. Full article

The development of printable, biocompatible, biodegradable, and cost-effective bioinks, or biomaterial inks, remains a focal point in extrusion-based bioprinting research. In this study, fish gelatin (FG) was reinforced with microcrystalline cellulose (MCC) to formulate biomaterial inks. These FG/MCC composite inks were fabricated into 3D scaffolds using an extrusion bioprinter. The influence of MCC concentration on printability was systematically evaluated. Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) and X-ray diffraction (XRD) analyses confirmed the formation of hydrogen bonds between MCC and FG, indicating molecular-level interactions. Notably, MCC incorporation enhanced the rheological properties of the ink and significantly improved the compressive strength of printed scaffolds. Furthermore, MCC content modulated key scaffold characteristics, including porosity, degradation rate, swelling behavior, and microarchitecture. These findings demonstrate that FG/MCC composite hydrogels exhibit optimal properties for extrusion-based 3D bioprinting, offering a promising platform for tissue engineering applications. Full article

Mesenchymal stromal cell-derived small extracellular vesicles (MSC-sEVs) have shown great promise in promoting tissue repair, including skin wound healing, but challenges like rapid degradation and short retention have limited their clinical application. Hydrogels have emerged as effective carriers for sustained EV release. Three-dimensional printing enables the development of personalized skin substitutes tailored to the wound size and shape. This study aimed to develop 3D bioprinted gelatin–genipin hydrogels incorporating human umbilical cord MSC-sEVs (hUCMSC-sEVs) for future skin wound healing applications. Gelatin hydrogels (8% and 10% w/v) were crosslinked with 0.3% genipin (GECL) to improve stability. The hydrogels were evaluated for their suitability for extrusion-based 3D bioprinting and physicochemical properties, such as the swelling ratio, hydrophilicity, enzymatic degradation, and water vapor transmission rate (WVTR). Chemical characterization was performed using EDX, XRD, and FTIR. The hUCMSC-sEVs were isolated via centrifugation and tangential flow filtration (TFF) and characterized. The crosslinked hydrogels were successfully 3D bioprinted and demonstrated superior properties, including high hydrophilicity, a swelling ratio of ~500%, slower degradation, and optimal WVTR. hUCMSC-sEVs, ranging from 50 to 200 nm, were positive for surface and cytosolic markers. Adding 75 μg/mL of hUCMSC-EVs into 10% GECL hydrogels significantly improved the biocompatibility. These hydrogels offer ideal properties for 3D bioprinting and wound healing, demonstrating their potential as biomaterial scaffolds for skin tissue regeneration applications. Full article

Background/Objectives: We wished to evaluate in vitro whether vacuum plasma surface treatment of bone graft substitutes and resorbable membranes could improve the hydrophilicity and wettability of the tested materials. Methods: A total of 28 sterilized samples were considered for this research and divided into three groups. Six samples were used for the SEM-EDS analysis. The other 22 samples were randomly assigned into the test (plasma-treated, n = 11) and control (no treatment, n = 11) groups. Vacuum plasma surface treatment was performed in the test group before the SEM-EDS analysis using the ACTILINK reborn with a material holder (Plasmapp Co., Ltd., Daejeon, Republic of Korea). Plasmatreat (Plasmatreat, Steinhagen, Germany) inks were used to evaluate the differences in the hydrophilicity between the test and control groups. The outcome measures were the absorption time, wettability grade, and grade of decontamination after different time cycles. Results: After the vacuum plasma surface treatment, the absorption time of the inks statistically decreased in all of the subgroups (p < 0.05), while the wettability grade increased. The SEM-EDS analyses showed an increased reduction rate of carbon impurities after up to three vacuum plasma surface treatment cycles. Furthermore, the SEM-EDS analysis did not reveal any areas of damage caused by the multiple treatments. Conclusions: Within the limitations of this in vitro study, the vacuum plasma surface treatment increased the hydrophilicity and wettability of the tested biomaterials. Particle bone graft and bone blocks should be treated using longer time programs. Further well-conducted randomized clinical trials with sample size calculations are needed to confirm these preliminary results. Full article

Chitosan is an attractive material for developing inks for extrusion-based bioprinting of 3D structures owing to its excellent properties, including its mechanical properties and antimicrobial activity when used in wound dressings. A key challenge in formulating chitosan-based inks is to improve its gelation property to ensure reliable printing and the mechanical stability of the printed structures. To address these challenges, this article presents a novel chitosan/oxidized glucomannan composite hydrogel obtained through the combination of Schiff base and phenol crosslinking reactions. The proposed biomaterial forms soft hydrogels through Schiff base crosslinking, which can be further stabilized via visible light-induced phenol crosslinking. This dual-crosslinking approach enhances the printability and robustness of chitosan-based ink materials. The proposed chitosan/oxidized glucomannan hydrogel exhibits excellent extrudability and improved shape retention after extrusion, along with antimicrobial properties against Escherichia coli. Moreover, good cytocompatibility was confirmed in animal cell studies using mouse fibroblast 10T1/2 cells. These favorable features make this hydrogel highly promising for the extrusion-based bioprinting of complex 3D structures, such as tubes and nose-like structures, at a low crosslinker concentration and can expand the prospects of chitosan in bioprinting, providing a safer and more efficient alternative for tissue engineering and other biomedical applications. Full article

The necessity of developing more realistic artificial food requires the aggregation of different biomaterials in an ordered and controlled manner. One of the most advanced methods for this is food printers reproducing additive manufacturing processes. This study presents a fully automatized 3D food printer leveraging collaborative Cartesian and multi-ink robotic systems to create complex food structures, with materials with different rheological settings using a screw conveyor configuration with controlled motion velocity. The developed food printer followed a formal mechatronic design strategy with fully functional instrumentation and automation systems. An adaptive controller was developed and implemented to regulate the coordinated operation of booth robotic devices, which are enforced by the G-code corresponding to the target food structure, leading to the necessary resolution. This device was tested with different commercial food inks to develop structures with complex shapes. The workability of the developed printer was confirmed by examining the food samples obtained using multiple materials, including creating different three-dimensional structures of a single complex food ink and creating simple structures made of different food inks with diverse structures that could yield a synthetic tissue that reproduces synthetic meat. Full article

Skin wounds often form scar tissue during healing. Early intervention with tissue-engineered materials and cell therapies may promote scar-free healing. Exosomes and extracellular vesicles (EV) secreted by mesenchymal stromal cells (MSC) are believed to have high regenerative capacity. EV bioactivity is preserved after lyophilization and storage to enable use in remote and typically resource-constrained environments. We developed a bioprinted bandage containing reconstituted EVs that can be fabricated at the point-of-need. An alginate/carboxymethyl cellulose (CMC) biomaterial ink was prepared, and printability and mechanical properties were assessed with rheology and compression testing. Three-dimensional printed constructs were evaluated for Young’s modulus relative to infill density and crosslinking to yield material with stiffness suitable for use as a wound dressing. We purified EVs from human MSC-conditioned media and characterized them with nanoparticle tracking analysis and mass spectroscopy, which gave a peak size of 118 nm and identification of known EV proteins. Fluorescently labeled EVs were mixed to form bio-ink and bioprinted to characterize EV release. EV bandages were bioprinted on both a commercial laboratory bioprinter and a custom ruggedized 3D printer with bioprinting capabilities, and lyophilized EVs, biomaterial ink, and thermoplastic filament were deployed to an austere Arctic environment and bioprinted. This work demonstrates that EVs can be bioprinted with an alginate/CMC hydrogel and released over time when in contact with a skin-like substitute. The technology is suitable for operational medical applications, notably in resource-limited locations, including large-scale natural disasters, humanitarian crises, and combat zones. Full article

Hydrogel materials based on sodium alginate find versatile applications in regenerative medicine and tissue engineering due to their unique properties, such as biocompatibility and biodegradability, and the possibility of the customization of their mechanical properties, such as in terms of the individual requirements of separate clinical applications. These materials, however, have numerous limitations in the area of biological activity. In order to eliminate their limitations, sodium alginate is popularly applied in combination with added gelatin, which represents a product of collagen hydrolysis. Despite numerous beneficial biological properties, matrix materials based on gelatin have poor mechanical properties and are characterized by their ability for rapid degradation in an aqueous environment, particularly at the physiological temperature of the body, which significantly limits the independent application opportunities of this type of composition in the range of scaffolding production dedicated for tissue engineering. Collagen hydrogels, unlike gelatin, are characterized by higher bioactivity, dictated by a greater number of ligands that allow for cell adhesion, as well as better stability under physiological conditions. Fish-derived collagen provides a material that may be efficiently extracted without the risk of mammalian prion infection and can be used in all patients without religious restrictions. Considering the numerous advantages of collagen indicating its superiority over gelatin, within the framework of this study, the compositions of hydrogel materials based on sodium alginate and fish collagen in different concentrations were developed. Prepared hydrogel materials were compared with the properties of a typical composition of alginate with the addition of gelatin. The rheological, mechanical, and physicochemical properties of the developed polymer compositions were evaluated. The first trials of 3D printing by extrusion technique using the analyzed polymer solutions were also conducted. The results obtained indicate that replacing gelatin with fish collagen at an analogous concentration leads to obtaining materials with a lower swelling degree, better mechanical properties, higher stability, limited release kinetics of calcium ions cross-linking the alginate matrix, a slowed process of protein release under physiological conditions, and the possibility of extrusion 3D printing. The conducted analysis highlights that the optimization of the applied concentrations of fish collagen additives to composition based on sodium alginate creates the possibility of designing materials with appropriate mechanical and rheological properties and degradation kinetics adjusted to the requirements of specific applications, leading to the prospective opportunity to produce materials capable of mimicking the properties of relevant soft tissues. Thanks to its excellent bioactivity and lower-than-gelatin viscosity of the polymer solution, fish collagen also provides a prospective solution for applications in the field of 3D bioprinting. Full article

Gelatin-based photo-crosslinkable hydrogels are promising scaffold materials to serve regenerative medicine. They are widely applicable in additive manufacturing, which allows for the production of various scaffold microarchitectures in line with the anatomical requirements of the organ to be replaced or tissue defect to be treated. Upon their in vivo utilization, the main bottleneck is to monitor cell colonization along with their degradation (rate). In order to enable non-invasive visualization, labeling with MRI-active components like N-(2,2-difluoroethyl)acrylamide (DFEA) provides a promising approach. Herein, we report on the development of a gelatin-methacryloyl-aminoethyl-methacrylate-based biomaterial ink in combination with DFEA, applicable in digital light processing-based additive manufacturing towards bone tissue regeneration. The fabricated hydrogel constructs show excellent shape fidelity in line with the printing resolution, as DFEA acts as a small molecular crosslinker in the system. The constructs exhibit high stiffness (E = 36.9 ± 4.1 kPa, evaluated via oscillatory rheology), suitable to serve bone regeneration and excellent MRI visualization capacity. Moreover, in combination with adipose tissue-derived stem cells (ASCs), the 3D-printed constructs show biocompatibility, and upon 4 weeks of culture, the ASCs express the osteogenic differentiation marker Ca²⁺. Full article

Natural and synthetic polymers are a versatile platform for developing biomaterials in the biomedical and environmental fields. Natural polymers are organic compounds that are found in nature. The most common natural polymers include polysaccharides, such as alginate, hyaluronic acid, and starch, proteins, e.g., collagen, silk, and fibrin, and bacterial polyesters. Natural polymers have already been applied in numerous sectors, such as carriers for drug delivery, tissue engineering, stem cell morphogenesis, wound healing, regenerative medicine, food packaging, etc. Various synthetic polymers, including poly(lactic acid), poly(acrylic acid), poly(vinyl alcohol), polyethylene glycol, etc., are biocompatible and biodegradable; therefore, they are studied and applied in controlled drug release systems, nano-carriers, tissue engineering, dispersion of bacterial biofilms, gene delivery systems, bio-ink in 3D-printing, textiles in medicine, agriculture, heavy metals removal, and food packaging. In the following review, recent advancements in polymer chemistry, which enable the imparting of specific biomedical functions of polymers, will be discussed in detail, including antiviral, anticancer, and antimicrobial activities. This work contains the authors’ experimental contributions to biomedical and environmental polymer applications. This review is a vast overview of natural and synthetic polymers used in biomedical and environmental fields, polymer synthesis, and isolation methods, critically assessessing their advantages, limitations, and prospects. Full article