Nanocelluloses have emerged as a catalogue of renewable nanomaterials for bioink formulation in service of 3D bioprinting, thanks to their structural similarity to extracellular matrices and excellent biocompatibility of supporting crucial cellular activities. From a material scientist’s viewpoint, this mini-review presents the key research aspects of the development of the nanocellulose-based bioinks in 3D (bio)printing. The nanomaterial properties of various types of nanocelluloses, including bacterial nanocellulose, cellulose nanofibers, and cellulose nanocrystals, are reviewed with respect to their origins and preparation methods. Different cross-linking strategies to integrate into multicomponent nanocellulose-based bioinks are discussed in terms of regulating ink fidelity in direct ink writing as well as tuning the mechanical stiffness as a bioactive cue in the printed hydrogel construct. Furthermore, the impact of surface charge and functional groups on nanocellulose surface on the crucial cellular activities (e.g., cell survival, attachment, and proliferation) is discussed with the cell–matrix interactions in focus. Aiming at a sustainable and cost-effective alternative for end-users in biomedical and pharmaceutical fields, challenging aspects such as biodegradability and potential nanotoxicity of nanocelluloses call for more fundamental comprehension of the cell–matrix interactions and further validation in in vivo models.
Lithography-based digital light processing (DLP) 3D printing has gained increasing interest in the fabrication of custom-designed hydrogel scaffolds. Current research development calls for the versatility of the bio-based resin formulations...
Biomaterial inks based on cellulose nanofibers (CNFs) and photo-crosslinkable biopolymers have great potential as a high-performance ink system in light-aided, hydrogel extrusion-based 3D bioprinting. However, the colloidal stability of surface charged nanofibrils is susceptible to mono-cations in physiological buffers, which complexes the application scenarios of these systems in formulating cell-laden bioinks. In this study, biomaterial inks formulated by neutral and negatively surface charged CNFs (GrowInk-N and GrowInk-T) and photo-crosslinkable biopolymers (gelatin methacryloyl (GelMA) and methacrylated galactoglucomannan (GGMMA)) were prepared with Milli-Q water or PBS buffer. Quantitative rheological measurements were performed on the ink formulations to characterize their shear flow recovery behavior and to understand the intermolecular interactions between the CNFs of different kinds with GGMMA or GelMA. Meanwhile, printability assessments, including filament extrudability and shape fidelity of the printed scaffold under varying printing conditions, were carried out to optimize the printing process. Our study provides extensive supporting information for further developing these nanocellulose-based systems into photo-crosslinkable bioinks in the service of cell-laden 3D bioprinting.
Currently, the number of approved veterinary medicines are limited, and human medications are used off-label. These approved human medications are of too high potencies for a cat or a small dog breed. Therefore, there is a dire demand for smaller doses of veterinary medicines. This study aims to investigate the use of three semi-solid extrusion 3D printers in a pharmacy or animal clinic setting for the extemporaneous manufacturing of prednisolone containing orodispersible films for veterinary use. Orodispersible films with adequate content uniformity and acceptance values as defined by the European Pharmacopoeia were produced with one of the studied printers, namely the Allevi 2 bioprinter. Smooth and flexible films with high mechanical strength, neutral pH, and low moisture content were produced with a high correlation between the prepared design and the obtained drug amount, indicating that the Allevi 2 printer could successfully be used to extemporaneously manufacture personalized doses for animals at the point-of-care.
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