3D bioprinting with layer-by-layer photo-crosslinking of simulated gut environment for brain-gut axis research
Abstract
This project is to acquire a bioprinter for 3D printing of the simulated gut environment for braingut axis research and education. The bioprinter will enable the following research- (1) to conduct basic research in experimental and theoretical biophysics and microbiology using 3D printed simulated gut environment to help enhance human protection and performance; (2) to expand the application of 3D printing in biophysics by understanding relationships between 3D printing processes and biology as well as physics; (3) to enhance the capabilities of constructing complex 3D functional living tissues or artificial organs by 3D bioprinting; and (4) to support and improve DoD desired university STEM education for future U.S. workforce in manufacturing and biophysics. A technical challenge in tissue engineering is to achieve fabricated cellular constructs with such tissue properties as organized multicellular patterning, tissue-specific extracellular matrix, and molecular or force gradients. Although these properties are critical for proper physiological functions, it is difficult to obtain them through traditional 2D cell culture models. By leveraging the advances in additive manufacturing, 3D bioprinting techniques are employed to fabricate cellular constructs resembling native tissues. 3D printed engineered tissues with physiological properties provide new revenues for regenerative medicine, functional assays, and drug testing, poentially revolutionizing many areas of the military medical field. In recent years, the effectiveness of 3D bioprinting has been demonstrated in DoD interested research, such as bioprinting for disease models (e.g., Alzheimer, premalignant disease), medicine, biomaterials, structures with specific compositions and features from nanoscale to microscale, medical implants with extraordinary physical properties, tissues resembling lung, cartilage and bones, medical devices for treatment of wounds in skin and bones, and functional cardiac tissues for repair and replacement. However, there is still mismatch between fabicated gut organs and the actual gut environment. The requested bioprinter will improve fabrication quality. Through layer-by-layer photo-crosslinking, the fabrication by 3D biopriting will enable the development of important technology for bioprinting a more complex, physiologically relevant 3D stimulated gut environment for brain-gut axis research.The biofabrication of the gut environment can be extended to other organs. This will benefit the DoD-interested 3D bioprinting research on repairing, replacement, and regeneration of human organs. The requested equipment will promote current bioprinting research and enable new research topics. These research topics include- (1) investigating feasible regions of printing variables when printing a simulated gut environment; (2) studying the shape fidelity and cell viability in the printed gut environment; (2) bioprinting simulated gut with native physiology; (3) Introducing microbiota to the printed gut; (4) introducing microbiota and supporting cells for a multi-layer integrated system to model the brain-gut axis.
Document Details
- Document Type
- DoD Grant Award
- Publication Date
- Feb 29, 2024
- Source ID
- FA95502310156
Entities
People
- Zj Pei
Organizations
- Air Force Office of Scientific Research
- Texas Engineering Experiment Station
- United States Air Force