Freeform 3D printing using a continuous viscoelastic supporting matrix

authors	Patricio, SG; Sousa, LR; Correia, TR; Gaspar, VM; Pires, LS; Luis, JL; Oliveira, JM; Mano, JF
nationality	International
journal	BIOFABRICATION
author keywords	Embedded 3D printing; supporting materials; continuous matrix; freeform structures; hydrogels
keywords	XANTHAN GUM; HYDROGELS; NETWORKS
abstract	Embedded bio-printing has fostered significant advances toward the fabrication of soft complex tissue-like constructs, by providing a physical support that allows the freeform shape maintenance within the prescribed spatial arrangement, even under gravity force. Current supporting materials still present major drawbacks for up-scaling embedded 3D bio-printing technology towards tissue-like constructs with clinically relevant dimensions. Herein, we report a a cost-effective and widely available supporting material for embedded bio-printing consisting on a continuous pseudo-plastic matrix of xanthan-gum (XG). This natural polisaccharide exhibits peculiar rheological properties that have enabled the rapid generation of complex volumetric 3D constructs with out-of-plane features. The freedom of design within the three orthogonal axes through the independent and controlled bio-printing process opens new opportunities to produce on demand large arbitrary shapes for personalized medicine. Additionally, we have demonstrated the versatile functionality of XG as a photocurable gel reservoir to engineer perfused cell-laden hydrogel constructs, addressing other practical biomedical applications such as in vitro models and organ-on-chip platforms.
publisher	IOP PUBLISHING LTD
issn	1758-5082
isbn	1758-5090
year published	2020
volume	12
issue	3
digital object identifier (doi)	10.1088/1758-5090/ab8bc3
web of science category	Engineering, Biomedical; Materials Science, Biomaterials
subject category	Engineering; Materials Science
unique article identifier	WOS:000535962100001