Kombucha-derived bioink developed for personalised tissue restore

Tissue engineering makes use of 3D printing and bioink to develop human cells on scaffolds, creating replacements for broken tissues like pores and skin, cartilage, and even organs. A workforce of researchers led by Professor Insup Noh from Seoul Nationwide College of Science and Expertise, Republic of Korea, has developed a bioink utilizing nanocellulose derived from Kombucha SCOBY (Symbiotic Tradition of Micro organism and Yeast) because the scaffold materials.

The biomaterial gives a sustainable different to traditional choices, and it may be loaded onto a hand-held “Biowork” biopen, additionally developed by the identical workforce. The digital biopen permits the exact utility of bioink to broken defected areas, corresponding to irregular cartilage and enormous pores and skin wounds, paving the best way for extra personalised and efficient in vivo tissue restore, eliminating the necessity for in vitro tissue engineering processes.

This paper was printed within the Worldwide Journal of Organic Macromolecules on 1 December 2024.

“Our prefabricated nanocellulose hydrogel community from symbiotic tradition of micro organism and yeast has the potential for use as a platform bioink for in vivo tissue engineering by loading all forms of biomolecules and medicines and direct bioprinting,” says Prof. Noh.

Kombucha SCOBY is a symbiotic tradition of micro organism and yeast used to ferment inexperienced tea. The microorganisms produce cellulose, which is biodegradable and appropriate with cells. Nevertheless, the nanocellulose derived from Kombucha SCOBY has an entangled construction, which requires modification for 3D bioprinting. This entails adjusting its rheological properties (the way it flows) and mechanical properties to enhance extrusion and preserve structural integrity after printing.

The researchers completed this by partially hydrolyzing nanocellulose with acetic acid, breaking glucose bonds and disentangling the community for its bioprintablity. Nevertheless, this therapy lacked management of its properties, resulting in a discount of its structural energy. The workforce bolstered the nanocellulose with chitosan (positively charged) and kaolin (negatively charged) nanoparticles. These chitosan and kaolin particles work together with cellulose by electrostatic forces, forming a secure hydrogel appropriate for 3D bioprinting.

The bioink was ready by mixing the components, together with reside cells, inside a biopen. Digitally managed, two counter-rotating screws inside the biopen uniformly blended the components, making a homogeneous bioink that could possibly be straight utilized by a needle onto broken tissue.

When hooked up to a 3D bioprinter, the biopen enabled the creation of multilayer, self-standing constructions with excessive decision, corresponding to bifurcated tubes and pyramids exceeding 1 cm in peak. The biopen was additionally used for direct in situ layer-by-layer printing of irregularly formed defects. Utilizing it, the researchers precisely crammed 3D-printed skull and femoral head molds with designed defects.

The bioink and digital biopen mixture gives an economical resolution for treating giant areas and irregularly formed wounds with none in vitro tissue regeneration course of, notably in emergency and first-aid conditions.

“This know-how permits for a fast and straightforward one-step course of the place the drug and hydrogel are blended and instantly utilized on-site to injured areas of various shapes,” says Prof. Noh.