Polysaccharide-Based

Hydrogel for 3D Cell

and Tissue Printing
GANESH SOSALE

Why 3D Cell Printing?

Over the last decade, about 76,650 people
died due to a shortage of donated organs
With organ transplants, there is a risk of
immune response
With the use of hydrogels and 3D cell
printing, supply could match demand

Hydrogels for 3D printing

3D polymer networks that can be used as
scaffolds for tissue engineering
There are many different classifications of
hydrogels
Natural or synthetic
Durable or degradable
Cationic, anionic or neutral

Pros and Cons of Currently Used

Hydrogels in 3D printing
Pros
Provide good transport of nutrients to cells
Biocompatible
Are able to mimic ECM

Cons
Mechanical Properties
Gelation Time (Desired range is from about 5 to 60 sec)
Permeability

Gellan Gum
FDA approved
Good mechanical properties
Gelation Time (about 5 to 45
sec)
Permeability Level
Low cost
Biocompatible
Cross-linkable with cell
medium

Specific Aim 1
Formulate a polysaccharide-based
hydrogel that collectively addresses all
major problems associated with existing
hydrogels for 3D printing
Mechanical Properties
Gelation Time
Permeability

Aim 1 Approach
Examine ratio of gellan and cell medium
(cross-linker)
Test cure rate (gelation time) and mechanical
properties using rheometer for 1%, 2% and
3% Gellan Gum with and without cross-linker
Ratios to be tested: 1:1, 1:2, 1:4 and 2:1, 4:1

Specific Aim 2
Test the gellan gum formulation identified in aim
1 for 3D cell printing

Aim 2 Approach
Form mixture of cell suspension with hydrogel
Extrude cell spheroid (Endothelial Cells)
Precisely pattern them on substrate using layerby-layer addition to form a 3D structure
Evaluate structural stability, cell phenotype
stability, cell viability and functionality

Expected outcomes, pitfalls

Expected Outcome
Hydrogel is effective in producing the 3D tissue
segments in vitro
Pitfalls
Printed structure doesnt form tissue level structure
Cells die out over time
Cell Seeding density may be too low

Future
Segments of structures printed may serve as
building blocks for larger structures that can be
used for applications involving tissue
engineering, regenerative medicine, drug
testing/screening and cell biology.

References
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