Scaffold-free, Label-free, and Nozzle-free Magnetic Levitational Bioassembler for Rapid Formative Biofabrication of 3D Tissues and Organs

Abstract

Scaffolding is the conceptual framework of conventional tissue engineering. Over the past decade, scaffold-free approaches as a potential alternative to classic scaffold-based methods have emerged, and scaffold-free magnetic levitational tissue engineering (magnetic force-based tissue engineering [Mag-TE]) is a type of this novel tissue engineering strategy. However, Mag-TE is often based on the use of potentially toxic magnetic nanoparticles. Scaffold-free and label-free magnetic levitational bioassembly do not employ magnetic nanoparticles and thus, the potential toxicity of magnetic nanoparticles can be avoided. In this short review, we describe the conceptual foundation of scaffold-free, label-free, and nozzle-free formative biofabrication using magnetic fields as “scaffields.” The design and implementation of “Organ.Aut,” the first commercial magnetic levitational bioassembler, and the potential applications of magnetic bioassembler are discussed as well.

Cell Aggregate Assembly through Microengineering for Functional Tissue Emergence

“…In a recent study conducted at the International Space Station, undesirable cytotoxic effects of the particles were reduced by using low-toxicity Gd 3+ salts and performing the assembly in microgravity. The latter was successfully reported by Parfenov et al (2020) in constructing 3D cartilage tissue incorporating human chondrocytes. The fusion of chondrospheres was observed in a non-toxic paramagnetic Gd 3+ cell culture medium overcoming the gravitational force constraint [31].…”

“…successfully reported by Parfenov et al (2020) in constructing 3D cartilage tissue incorporating human chondrocytes. The fusion of chondrospheres was observed in a non-toxic paramagnetic Gd 3+ cell culture medium overcoming the gravitational force constraint [28].…”

“…The magnetic forces are involved to create specific attractive forces with templates of magnets that can be designed by computer-assisted methods (Figure 3). The organization can be obtained by labeling the cells with magnetic particles or by adding these particles to the cell culture medium [28,56,57]. The magnetic forces are used to maintain the formed 3D architecture while the fusion of the cellular building blocks occurs [29].…”

Bioinks for Space Missions: The Influence of Long‐Term Storage of Alginate‐Methylcellulose‐Based Bioinks on Printability as well as Cell Viability and Function

“…For a magnetic levitational bioassembly process at ISS, Parfenov et al have already shown that a cell-protective transport of living tissue spheroids embedded in a thermoreversible hydrogel is possible to bring them safely and vital to the station. [59] Even if it is unlikely due to the trouble-free centrifugation without loss of function of the hydrogels in the lab, it remains also to be seen how the general influence of vibrations and acceleration during the rocket launch on the bioinks is. It also still has to be observed whether microgravity could possibly also have an influence on the cold-stored cells, which would require adjustments in the storage process.…”

Experimentally Created Magnetic Force in Microbiological Space and On-Earth Studies: Perspectives and Restrictions

“…Gadolinium is a rare-earth element widely applied in medical applications being included into complex chemical substances. Parfenov et al demonstrated that supplementation of the liquid medium with another gadolinium-based substance, gadobutrol ([10-[2,3-dihydroxi-1-(hydroxymethyl)propil]-1,4,7,10-tetraazacyclododexan-1,4,7-triacetin(3-)-N1, N4, N7, N10,O1, O4, O7]gadolinium), taken in concentration of 10 mM provides levitation of human cells in the static magnetic field created with the NdFeB magnets with a remnant magnetization of 1.21 T [59,60]. Similar conditions allowed for magnetic levitation of bacterial cells [52].…”