Bio-Ink for 3D Printing

Rutgers University, New Brunswick, NJ

Biomedical engineers have developed a “bio-ink” for 3D-printed materials that could serve as scaffolds for growing human tissues to repair or replace damaged ones in the body. Bioengineered tissues show promise in regenerative, precision, and personalized medicine; product development; and basic research, especially with the advent of 3D printing of biomaterials that could serve as scaffolds or temporary structures to grow tissues.

The bio-ink 3D printing system would print gel scaffolds, or support structures, for growing human tissues. The system would include hyaluronic acid and polyethylene glycol as the basic “ink cartridges” and other cartridges featuring inks with different cells and ligands that serve as binding sites for cells. (Image: Madison Godesky)

Hyaluronic acid, a natural molecule found in many tissues throughout the body, has many properties ideal for creating customized scaffolds but lacks the durability required. The new materials use modified versions of hyaluronic acid and polyethylene glycol to form a gel that is strengthened via chemical reactions and would serve as a scaffold.

Instead of an ink color for an inkjet printer, the mixture possesses properties that are suited for specific cells to multiply, differentiate, and remodel the scaffold into the appropriate tissue. Groups of cells in the body generally make their own support structures, or scaffolds, but scientists can build them from proteins, plastics, and other sources.

In the system, hyaluronic acid and polyethylene glycol serve as the basic “ink cartridges” for 3D printing. The system could have other ink cartridges featuring different cells and ligands that serve as binding sites for cells, printing gel scaffolds with the right stiffness, cells, and ligands based on the type of tissue desired.

For more information, contact Todd Bates at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.; 848-932-0550.