Colony development of laser printed eukaryotic (yeast and microalga) microorganisms in co-culture

Laser Induced Forward Transfer (LIFT) bioprinting is one of a group of techniques that have been so far largely applied for printing mammalian cells. Bioprinting allows precise placement of viable cells in a defined matrix with the aim of directed three-dimensional development of tissues. In this study, laser bio-printing is used to precisely place eukaryotic microorganisms in specific patterns that allow growth and microscopic observation of the organisms micro-colonies.  Saccharomyces cerevisiae  var.  bayanus  and  Chlorella vulgaris  are used as model organisms for this purpose. Growth and development of the micro-colonies are studied by confocal microscopy and the colonies growth rates are determined by image analysis. The developed protocols for printing of microorganisms and growth-rates determination of the micro-colonies, are very promising for future studies of colony growth and development.