Quantitative characterization of 3D bioprinted structural elements under cell generated forces

• DOI: 10.1038/s41467-019-10919-1
• Publication Date: 2019-07-10T10:03:38Z
• Authors: Cameron D. Morley; S. Tori Ellison; Tapomoy Bhattacha...; Christopher S. O’...; Yifan Zhang; Kourtney F. Smith; Christopher P. Kabb; Mathew Sebastian; Ginger L. Moore; Kyle D. Schulze; Sean Niemi; W. Gregory Sawyer; David D. Tran; Duane A. Mitchell; Brent S. Sumerlin; Catherine T. Flores; Thomas E. Angelini
• Keywords: Biofabrication; 3D bioprinting; Microbeam; Cell Mechanics

With improving biofabrication technology, 3D bioprinted constructs increasingly resemble real tissues. However, the fundamental principles describing how cell-generated forces within these drive deformations, mechanical instabilities, and structural failures have not been established, even for basic biofabricated building blocks. Here we investigate behaviours of printed microbeams made from living cells extracellular matrix, bioprinting simple elements into a culture medium packed microgels, creating mechanically controlled environment that allows beams to evolve under forces. By varying properties surrounding microgel medium, explore exhibited by structures. We observe buckling, axial contraction, failure, total static stability, develop models cell-ECM microbeam mechanics. envision their generalizations other shapes facilitate predictable design structures using blocks in future.