Abstract

Modulating Physical, Chemical, and Biological Properties of Tissue Constructs via Rapid 3D Bioprinting

Shaochen Chen, Professor, University of California-San Diego

In this talk, I will present our laboratory’s recent research efforts in rapid 3D bioprinting to create 3D tissue constructs using a variety of biomaterials and cells. These 3D biomaterials are functionalized with precise control of micro-architecture, mechanical (e.g. stiffness), chemical, and biological properties. Such functional biomaterials allow us to investigate cell-microenvironment interactions at nano- and micro-scales in response to integrated physical and chemical stimuli. From these fundamental studies we have been creating both in vitro and in vivo precision tissues for tissue regeneration, disease modeling, and drug discovery. To vascularize these engineered tissues, we have also developed a pre-vascularization technique by using the rapid 3D bioprinting method. Multiple cell types mimicking the native vascular cell composition were encapsulated directly into hydrogels with precisely controlled distribution.