Identification of Novel Bio-Inks for 3D Printing of Skin

This Engage Grant will allow the Frampton Lab at Dalhousie University to assist Aspect Biosystems, theleading Canadian manufacturer of 3D bioprinters, with the development of novel bio-inks for the printing ofhuman skin equivalents. The Frampton lab will examine the growth characteristics of cultured humankeratinocytes (skin cells) in various bio-ink formulations that have potential to be used in the AspectBiosystems 3D bioprinter. With the help of expert technicians from Aspect Biosystems, a set of the mostpromising ink formulations will then be tested for compatibility with the microfluidic cartridges used in theAspect Biosystems 3D bioprinter. The ink formulation that best balances cell growth properties with ease ofprinting will then be utilized to demonstrate bioprinting of stratified epidermal tissues similar to skin.Processed tissue sections of these lab grown skin equivalents will be compared to sections of intact humanskin by histology.