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Thiol–Ene Clickable Gelatin: A Platform Bioink for Multiple 3D Biofabrication Technologies
Author(s) -
Bertlein Sarah,
Brown Gabriella,
Lim Khoon S.,
Jungst Tomasz,
Boeck Thomas,
Blunk Torsten,
Tessmar Joerg,
Hooper Gary J.,
Woodfield Tim B. F.,
Groll Juergen
Publication year - 2017
Publication title -
advanced materials
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 10.707
H-Index - 527
eISSN - 1521-4095
pISSN - 0935-9648
DOI - 10.1002/adma.201703404
Subject(s) - biofabrication , gelatin , self healing hydrogels , materials science , photopolymer , nanotechnology , uv curing , curing (chemistry) , polymer , computer science , polymer chemistry , chemistry , composite material , biomedical engineering , tissue engineering , polymerization , organic chemistry , medicine
Bioprinting can be defined as the art of combining materials and cells to fabricate designed, hierarchical 3D hybrid constructs. Suitable materials, so called bioinks, have to comply with challenging rheological processing demands and rapidly form a stable hydrogel postprinting in a cytocompatible manner. Gelatin is often adopted for this purpose, usually modified with (meth‐)acryloyl functionalities for postfabrication curing by free radical photopolymerization, resulting in a hydrogel that is cross‐linked via nondegradable polymer chains of uncontrolled length. The application of allylated gelatin (GelAGE) as a thiol–ene clickable bioink for distinct biofabrication applications is reported. Curing of this system occurs via dimerization and yields a network with flexible properties that offer a wider biofabrication window than (meth‐)acryloyl chemistry, and without additional nondegradable components. An in‐depth analysis of GelAGE synthesis is conducted, and standard UV‐initiation is further compared with a recently described visible‐light‐initiator system for GelAGE hydrogel formation. It is demonstrated that GelAGE may serve as a platform bioink for several biofabrication technologies by fabricating constructs with high shape fidelity via lithography‐based (digital light processing) 3D printing and extrusion‐based 3D bioprinting, the latter supporting long‐term viability postprinting of encapsulated chondrocytes.