Our research represents a novel approach in tissue engineering by which we are trying to build three dimensional tissue structures by a rapid prototyping method, the bioprinting. The biopaper in our setup is a biocompatible hydrogel (collagen, gelatin, hyaluronic acid, etc.), the ink particles consist of spherical cell aggregates containing about 60-80000 cells. The bioprinter contains a 2D table and a Z assembly, on which the nozzles (housing the gel and aggregates) are mounted. The principle of bioprinting is illustrated below: layer-by-layer deposition of gel sheets and aggregates yields in a three dimensional cell aggregate pattern, which upon self assembly results in a living tissue structure of prescribed shape.  

The sequence of events:
   
 Cells are packed into capillary tubes, where they form a long and firm cylinder.
    The cutter produces little cylinders of equal diameter and height, which round up into cell spheres.
    Transferred into the cartridge, these bioink particles are deposited into gel sheets layer-by- layer.

See our printer in action:

Gel Printing Movie	Aggregate Printing Movie

                              

 Visit our bioprinting website : http://organprint.missouri.edu