3D Bioprinting of Tissue Culture Scaffolds

3D scaffolds with excellent biocompatibility, biodegradability, sophisticated 3D structures and appropriate mechanical properties are particularly desired as in vitro models in biomedical research and are highly attractive in clinical applications (e.g., as nerve guidance conduits) However, fabricating such scaffolds is challenging. In particular, the lack of precise control of 3D structures (e.g., architectures, porosities, pore sizes and vascularity) in scaffolds has become a major challenge due to the lack of advanced fabrication techniques. This PhD project is to fabricate 3D tissue cultural scaffolds with well-defined architectures using bio printing technologies with various bio-inks such as silk fibroin/sericin, designed self-assembling peptide hydrogels, alginate and chitosan. The student will be trained to use modern techniques such as 3D bioprinters, AFM, SEM, TEM, FTIR, Confocal Laser Scanning Microscopy (CLSM) etc. to fabricate the scaffolds and characterize their properties. A combination of relevant cell assays will also be carried out to evaluate the biocompatibility, degradability and biological functions of the fabricated scaffolds.