When working with custom materials and a broad range of nozzles, adjusting extrusion during the printing process is crucial for fast settings optimization. With the new version of PlanetCNC and the work of our mathematical analyst and algorithm developer Eva, we have now upgraded the Vitaprint 3D bioprinter also with this feature, allowing manually regulating extrusion flow during printing, thus...
This week we are reporting on our progress in fabricating freeform perfusable vessel systems in biocompatible hydrogels. We have previously been successful in fabricating 2D branched perfusable structures and simple 3D molded meniscus models from gelatin. Now, we’re presenting a more complex geometrical network of vessels, shaped as the vasculature of an earlobe. Vascularization is a major challenge in tissue...
A few weeks ago we posted the news on our gelatin microfluidics, where we were able to show a successfully fabricated gelatin matrix with embedded perfusable vessels using Vitaprint. However, our Symbiolab team has been working tirelessly to refine the protocol and make it useful for larger and more complex structures. The method works by printing a hydrogel with appropriate...
A lot has happened in the last past year. With the moving of IRNAS to the new facilities, we also obtained a newer and especially more spacious bio-lab. While the time required to set-up full functionality of the lab space prevented some experimental work, the progress didn’t slow us down at all. Thus, we used the opportunity to take care...
In late 2015, Hinton et al. (see full article) published a widely cited article describing a method for freeform reversible embedding of suspended hydrogels, or FRESH for short. In summary, it allows precise deposition of material inside a gelatin matrix, which offers support for the printed material and consequently allows the fabrication of almost any shape or form. The matrix...
In the beginning of June, we were paid a visit by our friends from the Institute of Biomedical Mechatronics in Linz. In preparation of a joint research project, we set out to implement our Vitaprint with a small laser engraver and test whether extrusion bioprinting could be used and controlled simultaneously with the laser, using our hardware. Using both technologies...
For the last couple of months, our symbiolab was hosting a high-school research project for the “Youth for the progress of Maribor (Mladi za napredek Maribora)” competition. Our guest student Gabriela was investigating wood-decay mushrooms and their potentially medicinally active compounds. During the time she spent here, our young prodigy has sucessfully created pure mycelium cultures of 7 fungi species...
Once a year, this year for the fourth time, people from the fields related to medical 3D printing gather in Maastricht (NED) and share knowledge and experience. The 3D bioprinting conference in Maastricht is one of the biggest events in this part of the world. Luckily, this year IRNAS also had a chance to participate. After a long and eventful...
A while back, when Musti and Boštjan were visiting the Ars Electronica festival in Linz, we recieved a package of gluten for testing with Vitaprint - our 3D Bioprinter. Due to lack of temperature control and a less precise extruder, we weren’t able to fabricate any satisfactory structures… that is until now! With the new, upgraded version, we have finally...
The week framing the end of this year’s November and the beginning of December Boštjan from our Symbiolab was travelling North-West to foster new collaborations with colleagues from Germany and the Netherlands and to catch-up with old friends. Today you can read his travel log. After 17 hours on the rails between Graz and the western reaches of Germany, the...
