Laser Printing of Pluripotent Embryonal Carcinoma Cells

The maintenance of pluripotency following laser direct-write of mouse embryonic stem cells

The ability to precisely pattern embryonic stem (ES) cells in vitro into predefined arrays/geometries may allow for the recreation of a stem cell niche for better understanding of how cellular microenvironmental factors govern stem cell maintenance and differentiation. In this study, a new gelatin-based laser direct-write (LDW) technique was utilized to deposit mouse ES cells into defined arrays of spots, while maintaining stem cell pluripotency. Results obtained from these studies showed that ES cells were successfully printed into specific patterns and remained viable. Furthermore, ES cells retained the expression of Oct4 in nuclei after LDW, indicating that the laser energy did not affect their maintenance of an undifferentiated state. The differentiation potential of mouse ES cells after LDW was confirmed by their ability to form embryoid bodies (EBs) and to spontaneously become cell lineages representing all three germ layers, revealed by the expression of marker proteins of nestin (ectoderm), Myf-5 (mesoderm) and PDX-1 (endoderm), after 7 days of cultivation. Gelatin-based LDW provides a new avenue for stem cell patterning, with precision and control of the cellular microenvironment.

Gelatin-based laser direct-write technique for the precise spatial patterning of cells

Laser direct-writing provides a method to pattern living cells in vitro, to study various cell-cell interactions, and to build cellular constructs. However, the materials typically used may limit its long-term application. By utilizing gelatin coatings on the print ribbon and growth surface, we developed a new approach for laser cell printing that overcomes the limitations of Matrigel™. Gelatin is free of growth factors and extraneous matrix components that may interfere with cellular processes under investigation. Gelatin-based laser direct-write was able to successfully pattern human dermal fibroblasts with high post-transfer viability (91% ± 3%) and no observed double-strand DNA damage. As seen with atomic force microscopy, gelatin offers a unique benefit in that it is present temporarily to allow cell transfer, but melts and is removed with incubation to reveal the desired application-specific growth surface. This provides unobstructed cellular growth after printing. Monitoring cell location after transfer, we show that melting and removal of gelatin does not affect cellular placement; cells maintained registry within 5.6 ± 2.5 μm to the initial pattern. This study demonstrates the effectiveness of gelatin in laser direct-writing to create spatially precise cell patterns with the potential for applications in tissue engineering, stem cell, and cancer research.

Laser-based direct-write techniques for cell printing

Fabrication of cellular constructs with spatial control of cell location (+/-5 microm) is essential to the advancement of a wide range of applications including tissue engineering, stem cell and cancer research. Precise cell placement, especially of multiple cell types in co- or multi-cultures and in three dimensions, can enable research possibilities otherwise impossible, such as the cell-by-cell assembly of complex cellular constructs. Laser-based direct writing, a printing technique first utilized in electronics applications, has been adapted to transfer living cells and other biological materials (e.g., enzymes, proteins and bioceramics). Many different cell types have been printed using laser-based direct writing, and this technique offers significant improvements when compared to conventional cell patterning techniques. The predominance of work to date has not been in application of the technique, but rather focused on demonstrating the ability of direct writing to pattern living cells, in a spatially precise manner, while maintaining cellular viability. This paper reviews laser-based additive direct-write techniques for cell printing, and the various cell types successfully laser direct-written that have applications in tissue engineering, stem cell and cancer research are highlighted. A particular focus is paid to process dynamics modeling and process-induced cell injury during laser-based cell direct writing.

Laser assisted bioprinting of engineered tissue with high cell density and microscale organization

Over this decade, cell printing strategy has emerged as one of the promising approaches to organize cells in two and three dimensional engineered tissues. High resolution and high speed organization of cells are some of the key requirements for the successful fabrication of cell-containing two or three dimensional constructs. So far, none of the available cell printing technologies has shown an ability to concomitantly print cells at a cell-level resolution and at a kHz range speed. We have studied the effect of the viscosity of the bioink, laser energy, and laser printing speed on the resolution of cell printing. Accordingly, we demonstrate that a laser assisted cell printer can deposit cells with a microscale resolution, at a speed of 5 kHz and with computer assisted geometric control. We have successfully implemented such a cell printing precision to print miniaturized tissue like layouts with de novo high cell density and micro scale organization.

On the biomechanical function of scaffolds for engineering load-bearing soft tissues

Replacement or regeneration of load-bearing soft tissues has long been the impetus for the development of bioactive materials. While maturing, current efforts continue to be confounded by our lack of understanding of the intricate multi-scale hierarchical arrangements and interactions typically found in native tissues. The current state of the art in biomaterial processing enables a degree of controllable microstructure that can be used for the development of model systems to deduce fundamental biological implications of matrix morphologies on cell function. Furthermore, the development of computational frameworks which allow for the simulation of experimentally derived observations represents a positive departure from what has mostly been an empirically driven field, enabling a deeper understanding of the highly complex biological mechanisms we wish to ultimately emulate. Ongoing research is actively pursuing new materials and processing methods to control material structure down to the micro-scale to sustain or improve cell viability, guide tissue growth, and provide mechanical integrity, all while exhibiting the capacity to degrade in a controlled manner. The purpose of this review is not to focus solely on material processing but to assess the ability of these techniques to produce mechanically sound tissue surrogates, highlight the unique structural characteristics produced in these materials, and discuss how this translates to distinct macroscopic biomechanical behaviors.

High-throughput laser printing of cells and biomaterials for tissue engineering

In parallel with ink-jet printing and bioplotting, biological laser printing (BioLP) using laser-induced forward transfer has emerged as an alternative method in the assembly and micropatterning of biomaterials and cells. This paper presents results of high-throughput laser printing of a biopolymer (sodium alginate), biomaterials (nano-sized hydroxyapatite (HA) synthesized by wet precipitation) and human endothelial cells (EA.hy926), thus demonstrating the interest in this technique for three-dimensional tissue construction. A rapid prototyping workstation equipped with an IR pulsed laser (tau=30 ns, lambda=1064 nm, f=1-100 kHz), galvanometric mirrors (scanning speed up to 2000 mm s(-1)) and micrometric translation stages (x, y, z) was set up. The droplet generation process was controlled by monitoring laser fluence, focalization conditions and writing speed, to take into account its mechanism, which is driven mainly by bubble dynamics. Droplets 70 microm in diameter and containing around five to seven living cells per droplet were obtained, thereby minimizing the dead volume of the hydrogel that surrounds the cells. In addition to cell transfer, the potential of using high-throughput BioLP for creating well-defined nano-sized HA patterns is demonstrated. Finally, bioprinting efficiency criteria (speed, volume, resolution, integrability) for the purpose of tissue engineering are discussed.

Layer by layer three-dimensional tissue epitaxy by cell-laden hydrogel droplets

The ability to bioengineer three-dimensional (3D) tissues is a potentially powerful approach to treat diverse diseases such as cancer, loss of tissue function, or organ failure. Traditional tissue engineering methods, however, face challenges in fabricating 3D tissue constructs that resemble the native tissue microvasculature and microarchitectures. We have developed a bioprinter that can be used to print 3D patches of smooth muscle cells (5 mm x 5 mm x 81 microm) encapsulated within collagen. Current inkjet printing systems suffer from loss of cell viability and clogging. To overcome these limitations, we developed a system that uses mechanical valves to print high viscosity hydrogel precursors containing cells. The bioprinting platform that we developed enables (i) printing of multilayered 3D cell-laden hydrogel structures (16.2 microm thick per layer) with controlled spatial resolution (proximal axis: 18.0 +/- 7.0 microm and distal axis: 0.5 +/- 4.9 microm), (ii) high-throughput droplet generation (1 s per layer, 160 droplets/s), (iii) cell seeding uniformity (26 +/- 2 cells/mm(2) at 1 million cells/mL, 122 +/- 20 cells/mm(2) at 5 million cells/mL, and 216 +/- 38 cells/mm(2) at 10 million cells/mL), and (iv) long-term viability in culture (>90%, 14 days). This platform to print 3D tissue constructs may be beneficial for regenerative medicine applications by enabling the fabrication of printed replacement tissues.

Laser-assisted cell printing: principle, physical parameters versus cell fate and perspectives in tissue engineering

We describe the physical parameters involved in laser-assisted cell printing and present evidence that this technology is coming of age. Finally we discuss how this high-throughput, high-resolution technique may help in reproducing local cell microenvironments, and thereby create functional tissue-engineered 3D constructs.

Process-Induced Cell Injury in Laser Direct Writing of Human Colon Cancer Cells

Matrix-assisted pulsed-laser evaporation direct-write has emerged as a promising technique for biological construct fabrication. The posttransfer cell viability in matrix-assisted pulsed-laser evaporation direct-write depends on various operating conditions such as the applied laser fluence. To date, the effects of operating conditions such as laser fluence, direct-writing height, and cell density on the posttransfer cell viability have not been well elucidated. This study investigates the effects of operating conditions on the posttransfer cell viability in laser direct writing of human colon cancer HT-29 cells. It has been observed that (1) the HT-29 cell viability decreases from 95% to 78% as the laser fluence increases from 258 to 1482 mJ/cm(2), and the posttransfer cell proliferation capacity does not vary significantly as the laser fluence changes; (2) the direct-writing height does not have noticeable effect on the posttransfer cell viability under low laser fluences (258 and 869 mJ/cm(2)). However, a larger height (such as 29.3 mm) led to an almost 8% viability improvement compared with that of 16.6 mm under a high laser fluence (1482 mJ/cm(2)); and (3) the posttransfer cell viability is not dependent on the cell density for a range from 1 × 10(6) to 1 × 10(7) cells/mL.

Biomatrices and biomaterials for future developments of bioprinting and biofabrication

The next step beyond conventional scaffold-based tissue engineering is cell-based direct biofabrication techniques. In industrial processes, various three-dimensional (3D) prototype models have been fabricated using several different rapid prototyping methods, such as stereo-lithography, 3D printing and laser sintering, as well as others, in which a variety of chemical materials are utilized. However, with direct cell-based biofabrication, only biocompatible materials can be used, and the manufacturing process must be performed under biocompatible and physiological conditions. We have developed a direct 3D cell printing system using inkjet and gelation techniques with inkjet droplets, and found that it had good potential to construct 3D structures with multiple types of cells. With this system, we have used alginate and fibrin hydrogel materials, each of which has advantages and disadvantages. Herein, we discuss the roles of hydrogel for biofabrication and show that further developments in biofabrication technology with biomatrices will play a major part, as will developments in manufacturing technology. It is important to explore suitable biomatrices as the next key step in biofabrication techniques.

A droplet-based building block approach for bladder smooth muscle cell (SMC) proliferation

Tissue engineering based on building blocks is an emerging method to fabricate 3D tissue constructs. This method requires depositing and assembling building blocks (cell-laden microgels) at high throughput. The current technologies (e.g., molding and photolithography) to fabricate microgels have throughput challenges and provide limited control over building block properties (e.g., cell density). The cell-encapsulating droplet generation technique has potential to address these challenges. In this study, we monitored individual building blocks for viability, proliferation and cell density. The results showed that (i) SMCs can be encapsulated in collagen droplets with high viability (>94.2 +/- 3.2%) for four cases of initial number of cells per building block (i.e. 7 +/- 2, 16 +/- 2, 26 +/- 3 and 37 +/- 3 cells/building block). (ii) Encapsulated SMCs can proliferate in building blocks at rates that are consistent (1.49 +/- 0.29) across all four cases, compared to that of the controls. (iii) By assembling these building blocks, we created an SMC patch (5 mm x 5 mm x 20 microm), which was cultured for 51 days forming a 3D tissue-like construct. The histology of the cultured patch was compared to that of a native rat bladder. These results indicate the potential of creating 3D tissue models at high throughput in vitro using building blocks.

In vivo bioprinting for computer- and robotic-assisted medical intervention: preliminary study in mice

We present the first attempt to apply bioprinting technologies in the perspective of computer-assisted medical interventions. A workstation dedicated to high-throughput biological laser printing has been designed. Nano-hydroxyapatite (n-HA) was printed in the mouse calvaria defect model in vivo. Critical size bone defects were performed in OF-1 male mice calvaria with a 4 mm diameter trephine. Prior to laser printing experiments, the absence of inflammation due to laser irradiation onto mice dura mater was shown by means of magnetic resonance imaging. Procedures for in vivo bioprinting and results obtained using decalcified sections and x-ray microtomography are discussed. Although heterogeneous, these preliminary results demonstrate that in vivo bioprinting is possible. Bioprinting may prove to be helpful in the future for medical robotics and computer-assisted medical interventions.

Bio-printing of collagen and VEGF-releasing fibrin gel scaffolds for neural stem cell culture

Time-released delivery of soluble growth factors (GFs) in engineered hydrogel tissue constructs promotes the migration and proliferation of embedded cells, which is an important factor for designing scaffolds that ultimately aim for neural tissue regeneration. We report a tissue engineering technique to print murine neural stem cells (C17.2), collagen hydrogel, and GF (vascular endothelial growth factor: VEGF)-releasing fibrin gel to construct an artificial neural tissue. We examined the morphological changes of the printed C17.2 cells embedded in the collagen and its migration toward the fibrin gel. The cells showed high viability (92.89+/-2.32%) after printing, which was equivalent to that of manually-plated cells. C17.2 cells printed within 1mm from the border of VEGF-releasing fibrin gel showed GF-induced changes in their morphology. The cells printed in this range also migrated toward the fibrin gel, with the total migration distance of 102.4+/-76.1microm over 3days. The cells in the control samples (fibrin without the VEGF or VEGF printed directly in collagen) neither proliferated nor migrated. The results demonstrated that bio-printing of VEGF-containing fibrin gel supported sustained release of the GF in the collagen scaffold. The presented method can be gainfully used in the development of three-dimensional (3D) artificial tissue assays and neural tissue regeneration applications.

Multi-layered culture of human skin fibroblasts and keratinocytes through three-dimensional freeform fabrication

We present a method to create multi-layered engineered tissue composites consisting of human skin fibroblasts and keratinocytes which mimic skin layers. Three-dimensional (3D) freeform fabrication (FF) technique, based on direct cell dispensing, was implemented using a robotic platform that prints collagen hydrogel precursor, fibroblasts and keratinocytes. A printed layer of cell-containing collagen was crosslinked by coating the layer with nebulized aqueous sodium bicarbonate. The process was repeated in layer-by-layer fashion on a planar tissue culture dish, resulting in two distinct cell layers of inner fibroblasts and outer keratinocytes. In order to demonstrate the ability to print and culture multi-layered cell-hydrogel composites on a non-planar surface for potential applications including skin wound repair, the technique was tested on a poly(dimethylsiloxane) (PDMS) mold with 3D surface contours as a target substrate. Highly viable proliferation of each cell layer was observed on both planar and non-planar surfaces. Our results suggest that organotypic skin tissue culture is feasible using on-demand cell printing technique with future potential application in creating skin grafts tailored for wound shape or artificial tissue assay for disease modeling and drug testing.

Single-cell printing to form three-dimensional lines of olfactory ensheathing cells

Biological laser printing (BioLP) is a unique tool capable of printing high resolution two- and three-dimensional patterns of living mammalian cells, with greater than 95% viability. These results have been extended to primary cultured olfactory ensheathing cells (OECs), harvested from adult Sprague-Dawley rats. OECs have been found to provide stimulating environments for neurite outgrowth in spinal cord injury models. BioLP is unique in that small load volumes ( approximately microLs) are required to achieve printing, enabling low numbers of OECs to be harvested, concentrated and printed. BioLP was used to form several 8 mm lines of OECs throughout a multilayer hydrogel scaffold. The line width was as low as 20 microm, with most lines comprising aligned single cells. Fluorescent confocal microscopy was used to determine the functionality of the printed OECs, to monitor interactions between printed OECs, and to determine the extent of cell migration throughout the 3D scaffold. High-resolution printing of low cell count, harvested OECs is an important advancement for in vitro study of cell interactions and functionality. In addition, these cell-printed scaffolds may provide an alternative for spinal cord repair studies, as the single-cell patterns formed here are on relevant size scales for neurite outgrowth.

Three-dimensional fiber deposition of cell-laden, viable, patterned constructs for bone tissue printing

Organ or tissue printing, a novel approach in tissue engineering, creates layered, cell-laden hydrogel scaffolds with a defined three-dimensional (3D) structure and organized cell placement. In applying the concept of tissue printing for the development of vascularized bone grafts, the primary focus lies on combining endothelial progenitors and bone marrow stromal cells (BMSCs). Here we characterize the applicability of 3D fiber deposition with a plotting device, Bioplotter, for the fabrication of spatially organized, cell-laden hydrogel constructs. The viability of printed BMSCs was studied in time, in several hydrogels, and extruded from different needle diameters. Our findings indicate that cells survive the extrusion and that their subsequent viability was not different from that of unprinted cells. The applied extrusion conditions did not affect cell survival, and BMSCs could subsequently differentiate along the osteoblast lineage. Furthermore, we were able to combine two distinct cell populations within a single scaffold by exchanging the printing syringe during deposition, indicating that this 3D fiber deposition system is suited for the development of bone grafts containing multiple cell types.

Three-dimensional direct writing of B35 neuronal cells

We have demonstrated two-dimensional and three-dimensional transfer of B35 neuronal cells onto and within polymerized Matrigel substrates, using matrix-assisted pulsed laser evaporation-direct write (MDW). The B35 cells were transferred from a quartz ribbon to depths of up to 75 microm by systematically varying the fluence emitted from the ArF (lambda = 193 nm) laser source. MDW-transferred cells were examined using terminal deoxynucleotidyl transferase biotin-dUTP nick end labeling (TUNEL), 4',6-diamidino-2-phenylindole (DAPI), and alpha-tubulin staining. Confocal microscopy has shown that the transferred B35 cells extended their axons outward in three dimensions within the polymerized Matrigel substrate. The B35 cells made axonal connections and formed a three-dimensional neural network within 72 h after MDW transfer. In addition, TUNEL staining demonstrated that only 3% of the B35 cells underwent apoptosis after being transferred using the MDW process. MDW and other emergent direct write processes may provide unique approaches for creating layered, heterogeneous, three-dimensional cell-seeded scaffolds for use in peripheral nerve repair.

Commentary: engineering of tissue healing and regeneration

Regenerative medicine aims to restore homeostasis of diseased tissues and organs. With time, engineered replacement tissue constructs will play an increasingly important role in achieving this goal. Equally important, however, will be the ability to resolve disease-associated inflammation and to optimize tissue regenerative capacity by specifically patterning the host tissue microenvironment. The tools of bioengineering are uniquely suited to meet these challenges. Here, the candidate molecular and cellular targets for manipulating the host's inflammatory environment and tissue regenerative capacity are briefly discussed within the context of current and emerging bioengineering strategies. The objective is to draw the attention of basic scientists and engineers to the importance of regulating inflammation in achieving the goals of tissue engineering and regenerative medicine.

Principles of laser-induced separation and transport of living cells

Separation and transport of defined populations of living cells grown on a thin membrane can be achieved by laser microdissection (LMD) of the sample of interest, followed by a laser-induced forward transport process [laser pressure "catapulting" (LPC)] of the dissected cell cluster. We investigate the dynamics of LMD and LPC with focused and defocused UV-A laser pulses by means of time-resolved photography. Catapulting is driven by plasma formation when tightly focused pulses are used, and by confined thermal ablation at the bottom of the sample for defocused catapulting. With both modalities, the initial specimen velocity amounts to about 50 to 60 ms. Time-resolved photography of live cell catapulting reveals that in defocused catapulting, strong shear forces arise when the sample is accelerated out of the culture medium covering the cells. By contrast, pulses focused at the periphery of the specimen cause a fast rotational movement that minimizes the flow of culture medium parallel to the sample surface, and thus the resulting shear stresses. Therefore, the recultivation rate of catapulted cells is much higher when focused pulses are used. Compared to collateral damage by mechanical forces, side effects by heat and UV exposure of the cells play only a minor role.

Principles of laser microdissection and catapulting of histologic specimens and live cells

Rapid contact- and contamination-free procurement of specific samples of histologic material for proteomic and genomic analysis as well as separation and transport of living cells can be achieved by laser microdissection (LMD) of the sample of interest followed by a laser-induced forward transport process [laser pressure "catapulting," (LPC)] of the dissected material. We investigated the dynamics of LMD and LPC with focused and defocused laser pulses by means of time-resolved photography. The working mechanism of microdissection was found to be plasma-mediated ablation. Catapulting is driven by plasma formation, when tightly focused pulses are used, and by ablation at the bottom of the sample for moderate and strong defocusing. Driving pressures of several hundred megapascals accelerate the specimen to initial velocities of 100-300 m/s before it is rapidly slowed down by air friction. With strong defocusing, driving pressure and initial flight velocity decrease considerably. On the basis of a characterization of the thermal and optical properties of the histologic specimens and supporting materials used, we calculated the temporal evolution of the heat distribution in the sample. After laser microdissection and laser pressure catapulting (LMPC), the samples were inspected by scanning electron microscopy. Catapulting with tightly focused or strongly defocused pulses results in very little collateral damage, while slight defocusing involves significant heat and UV exposure of up to about 10% of the specimen volume, especially if samples are catapulted directly from a glass slide. Time-resolved photography of live-cell catapulting revealed that in defocused catapulting strong shear forces originate from the flow of the thin layer of culture medium covering the cells. By contrast, pulses focused at the periphery of the specimen cause a fast rotational movement that makes the specimen wind its way out of the culture medium, thereby undergoing much less shear stresses. Therefore, the recultivation rate of catapulted cells was much higher when focused pulses were used.

Hydrogels as Extracellular Matrices for Skeletal Tissue Engineering: State-of-the-Art and Novel Application in Organ Printing

Organ printing, a novel approach in tissue engineering, applies layered computer-driven deposition of cells and gels to create complex 3-dimensional cell-laden structures. It shows great promise in regenerative medicine, because it may help to solve the problem of limited donor grafts for tissue and organ repair. The technique enables anatomical cell arrangement using incorporation of cells and growth factors at predefined locations in the printed hydrogel scaffolds. This way, 3-dimensional biological structures, such as blood vessels, are already constructed. Organ printing is developing fast, and there are exciting new possibilities in this area. Hydrogels are highly hydrated polymer networks used as scaffolding materials in organ printing. These hydrogel matrices are natural or synthetic polymers that provide a supportive environment for cells to attach to and proliferate and differentiate in. Successful cell embedding requires hydrogels that are complemented with biomimetic and extracellular matrix components, to provide biological cues to elicit specific cellular responses and direct new tissue formation. This review surveys the use of hydrogels in organ printing and provides an evaluation of the recent advances in the development of hydrogels that are promising for use in skeletal regenerative medicine. Special emphasis is put on survival, proliferation and differentiation of skeletal connective tissue cells inside various hydrogel matrices.

Cell Sensing and Response to Micro- and Nanostructured Surfaces Produced by Chemical and Topographic Patterning

Chemical and topographic substrate surface patterning is recognized as a powerful tool for regulating cell functions. We discuss the relative role of scale and pattern of chemically and topographically patterned surfaces in regulating cell behavior. Chemical patterning achieved using spatial cell-adhesive molecular organization regulates different cell functions depending on its scale (micropattern for cell patterning and derived cell functions, nanopattern for collective cell functions such as adhesion, proliferation, and differentiation). In chemical patterning, a direct and specific cell-sensing mechanism such as integrin-ligand binding governs. Alternatively, topographic modification affects different cell functions depending on its pattern (anisotropic ridges and grooves for contact-guided cell alignment, isotropic textures having randomly or evenly distributed topographic features for collective functions). For all topographic patterns, micro- or nanotopographic scale determines whether specific cell reactions occur. If the topography effect were assessed under the same surface chemistry, cell adaptation processes would play a major role in cell sensing and response to topography, largely independent of mediation via differences in adsorbed proteins. Controlling scale and pattern in chemical and topographic substrate patterning would help significantly to develop purpose-specific cell-regulating cues in various biomedical applications, including tissue engineering, implants, cell-based biosensors, microarrays, and basic cell biology.

Jet-based methods to print living cells

Cell printing has been popularized over the past few years as a revolutionary advance in tissue engineering has potentially enabled heterogeneous 3-D scaffolds to be built cell-by-cell. This review article summarizes the state-of-the-art cell printing techniques that utilize fluid jetting phenomena to deposit 2- and 3-D patterns of living eukaryotic cells. There are four distinct categories of jetbased approaches to printing cells. Laser guidance direct write (LG DW) was the first reported technique to print viable cells by forming patterns of embryonic-chick spinal-cord cells on a glass slide (1999). Shortly after this, modified laser-induced forward transfer techniques (LIFT) and modified ink jet printers were also used to print viable cells, followed by the most recent demonstration using an electrohydrodynamic jetting (EHDJ) method. The low cost of some of these printing technologies has spurred debate as to whether they could be used on a large scale to manufacture tissue and possibly even whole organs. This review summarizes the published results of these cell printers (cell viability, retained genotype and phenotype), and also includes a physical description of the various jetting processes with a discussion of the stresses and forces that may be encountered by cells during printing. We conclude the review by comparing and contrasting the different jet-based techniques, while providing a map for future experiments that could lead to significant advances in the field of tissue engineering.

Biomanufacturing: A US-China National Science Foundation–Sponsored Workshop

A recent US-China National Science Foundation-sponsored workshop on biomanufacturing reviewed the state-of-the-art of an array of new technologies for producing scaffolds for tissue engineering, providing precision multi-scale control of material, architecture, and cells. One broad category of such techniques has been termed solid freeform fabrication. The techniques in this category include: stereolithography, selected laser sintering, single- and multiple-nozzle deposition and fused deposition modeling, and three-dimensional printing. The precise and repetitive placement of material and cells in a three-dimensional construct at the micrometer length scale demands computer control. These novel computer-controlled scaffold production techniques, when coupled with computer-based imaging and structural modeling methods for the production of the templates for the scaffolds, define an emerging field of computer-aided tissue engineering. In formulating the questions that remain to be answered and discussing the knowledge required to further advance the field, the Workshop provided a basis for recommendations for future work.

Printing of protein microarrays via a capillary-free fluid jetting mechanism

Current proteomics experiments rely upon printing techniques such as ink jet, pin, or quill arrayers that were developed for the creation of cDNA microarrays. These techniques often do not meet the requirements needed for successful spotting of proteins to perform high-throughput, array-based proteomic profiling. Biological laser printing (BioLP) is a spotting technology that does not rely on solid pins, quill pins, or capillary-based fluidics. The non-contact mechanism of BioLP utilizes a focused laser pulse to transfer protein solutions, thereby eliminating the potential for orifice clogging, air bubbles, and unnecessary volume loss potentially encountered in commercially available spotting technologies. The speed and spot-to-spot reproducibility of BioLP is comparable to other techniques, while the minimum spot diameter and volume per printed droplet is significantly less at 30 microm and approximately 500 fL, respectively. The transfer of fluid by BioLP occurs through a fluid jetting mechanism, as observed by high-speed images of the printing process. Arraying a solution of BSA with subsequent immunodetection demonstrates the reproducible spotting of protein in an array format with CVs of <3%. Printing of the enzyme alkaline phosphatase followed by a positive reaction with a colorimetric substrate demonstrates that functional protein can be spotted using this laser-based printer.

Survival and Proliferative Ability of Various Living Cell Types after Laser-Induced Forward Transfer

The survival, proliferation, and differentiation of freshly isolated and cultured cells were studied after absorbing film-assisted laser-induced forward transfer. Rat Schwann and astroglial cells and pig lens epithelial cells were used for transfer and the cells were cultured for 2 weeks after laser-pulsed transfer. All three cell types survived, proliferated, and differentiated under cell culture conditions and regained their original phenotype a few days after cell transfer. Time resolution studies have shown that the time required to accelerate the jets and droplets containing the cells was less than 1 micros and that the estimated minimum average acceleration of those ejected cells that reached a constant velocity was approximately 10(7) x g. This suggests that the majority of studied cells tolerated the extremely high acceleration at the beginning of the ejection and the deceleration during impact on the acceptor plate without significant damage to the original phenotype. These results suggest that the absorbing film-assisted laser-induced forward transfer technique appears to be suitable for several potential applications in tissue engineering and the biomedical tissue repair technologies.

Laser printing of single cells: statistical analysis, cell viability, and stress

Methods to print patterns of mammalian cells to various substrates with high resolution offer unique possibilities to contribute to a wide range of fields including tissue engineering, cell separation, and functional genomics. This manuscript details experiments demonstrating that BioLP Biological Laser Printing, can be used to rapidly and accurately print patterns of single cells in a noncontact manner. Human osteosarcoma cells were deposited into a biopolymer matrix, and after 6 days of incubation, the printed cells are shown to be 100% viable. Printing low numbers of cells per spot by BioLP is shown to follow a Poisson distribution, indicating that the reproducibility for the number of cells per spot is therefore determined not by the variance in printed volume per drop but by random sampling statistics. Potential cell damage during the laser printing process is also investigated via immunocytochemical studies that demonstrate minimal expression of heat shock proteins by printed cells. Overall, we find that BioLP is able to print patterns of osteosarcoma cells with high viability, little to no heat or shear damage to the cells, and at the ultimate single cell resolution.

Rapid prototyping in tissue engineering: challenges and potential

Tissue engineering aims to produce patient-specific biological substitutes in an attempt to circumvent the limitations of existing clinical treatments for damaged tissue or organs. The main regenerative tissue engineering approach involves transplantation of cells onto scaffolds. The scaffold attempts to mimic the function of the natural extracellular matrix, providing a temporary template for the growth of target tissues. Scaffolds should have suitable architecture and strength to serve their intended function. This paper presents a comprehensive review of the fabrication methods, including conventional, mainly manual, techniques and advanced processing methods such as rapid prototyping (RP) techniques. The potential and challenges of scaffold-based technology are discussed from the perspective of RP technology.