Search

Gelatin methacryloyl (GelMA)-based hydrogels have become highly studied as modular tissue culture platforms due to the combination of the bioactivity of gelatin and tailorability of photo-crosslinkable hydrogels. However, current production and characterization workflows still rely on manual, time-consuming, and low-throughput processes, ultimately limiting widespread adaption. To address these challenges, an open-source technology platform is engineered and validated for automated high-throughput production of GelMA-based 3D constructs by integrating automated pipetting capabilities for viscous and non-viscous liquids. Firstly, the platform is applied in combination with inexpensive absorbance measurements to systematically optimize the mixing sequence for GelMA-based precursor solutions. This enables a decrease in the relative standard deviation of the prepared mixtures from 63% to 2.5%, demonstrating a significantly improved reproducibility. Next, the applicability and high-throughput capacity are demonstrated by the reproducible generation of GelMA dilution series with 0.5 and 2% (w / v) concentration steps as well as double network hydrogels consisting of 2% (w / v) alginate and 5% (w / v) GelMA. Finally, a simple and user-friendly methodology is described that integrates Design of Experiments approaches to systematically study the combinatorial effects of material and crosslinking parameters and to establish a parameter library for on-demand production of mechanically defined GelMA-based hydrogels. The platform enables reproducible production and offers an open-source and accessible alternative to high-priced liquid-handling robots and bioprinters. [Display omitted] • Open-source platform overcomes manual and time-consuming processes for gelatin methacryloyl (GelMA)-based hydrogels • High-throughput production with automated workflows yields substantial increase in reproducibility compared to manual tasks • Materials library enables automatically production of mechanically defined 3D constructs with known parameters • Platform offers an open-source and accessible alternative to high-priced liquid-handling robots and bioprinters [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Biomimetically designed medical-grade polycaprolactone (mPCL) dressings are 3D-printed with pore architecture and anisotropic mechanical characteristics that favor skin wound healing with reduced scarring. Melt electrowritten mPCL dressings are seeded with human gingival tissue multipotent mesenchymal stem/stromal cells and cryopreserved using a clinically approved method. The regenerative potential of fresh or frozen cell-seeded mPCL dressing is compared in a splinted full-thickness excisional wound in a rat model over six weeks. The application of 3D-printed mPCL dressings decreased wound contracture and significantly improved skin regeneration through granulation and re-epithelialization compared to control groups. Combining 3D-printed biomimetic wound dressings and precursor cell delivery enhances physiological wound closure with reduced scar tissue formation. Image 1 [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Synthetic cell carriers (A) represent common scaffold structures for the development of cell-based in vitro models of the human intestine but due to their low porosity or unwanted molecular adhesion effects, synthetic carriers can negatively affect cell function. Alternative scaffolds such as natural extracellular matrices (ECMs) (B) were shown to overcome some of the common drawbacks. However, their fabrication is time-consuming, less well standardized and not entirely conform to the 3R principle (replacement, reduction, refinement). Nowadays, biopolymers such as bacterial nanocellulose (BNC) (C) represent interesting scaffold materials for innovative tissue engineering concepts, as they can be generated in a faster and more standardized process workflow without the need for animal material. In this study, we demonstrate the BNC as suitable carrier for the development of Caco-2-based in vitro models of the human intestine. The BNC-based models exhibit organ-specific properties comprising typical cellular morphologies, characteristic protein expression profiles, representative ultrastructural features and the formation of a tight epithelial barrier. The proof of in vivo -like transport activities further validates the high quality of the BNC-based Caco-2 models. In summary, this illustrates the BNC as alternative bioscaffold of non-animal origin to develop functional organ models in vitro. Unlabelled Image • Comparison of synthetic, tissue-derived and biotechnologically produced scaffolds for tissue engineering applications • Reproducible and morphologically relevant results were obtained for bacterial nanocellulose (BNC)-based scaffolds • BNC as biocompatible as well as biomimetically relevant hydrogel-material shows a high production- and cost- efficiency [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]