Microdrop Printing of Hydrogel Bioinks into 3D Tissue-Like Geometries

1. Kris Pataky¹, 
2. Thomas Braschler¹, 
3. Andrea Negro², 
4. Philippe Renaud¹, 
5. Matthias P. Lutolf^2,*, 
6. Juergen Brugger^1,*

Article first published online: 12 DEC 2011

DOI: 10.1002/adma.201102800

An optimized 3D inkjet printing process is demonstrated for structuring alginate into a tissue-like microvasculature capable of supporting physiological flow rates. Optimizing the reaction at the single-droplet level enables wet hydrogel droplets to be stacked, thus overcoming their natural tendancy to spread and coalesce. Live cells can be patterned using this process and it can be extended to a range of other hydrogels.