Researchers develop ‘bio-ink’ for 3D printing

Researchers at the Rutgers University in New Jersey, USA have announced that they 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. The system developed by the researchers relies on modified versions of hyaluronic acid and polyethylene glycol as the basic ‘ink cartridges’ for 3D printing. The system also uses other ‘cartridges’ using different cells and ligands, which serve as binding sites for cells. The system would print gel scaffolds with the right stiffness, cells, and ligands, based on the type of tissue desired. As noted by Rutgers, bioengineered tissues show promise in regenerative, precision, and personalised medicine.