Customizable Bioprinting Using Photo-Crosslinked Hydrogels
In this project we modified an Ender-3 Pro hobbyist 3D printer into a single-head bioprinter used to print scaffolds of varying stiffnesses. Using the outline of the modifications to a hobby printer presented by a team at Texas A&M University, we aim to print hydrogel-like materials more economically appropriate for research labs. Using the design presented by this team, we were able to quickly 3D print modification parts for the printer in a cost effective manner. A common problem in many labs is the lack of ability to effectively control the shape and stiffness of a hydrogel scaffold that would allow for cell propagation. Using a 3D printed method that has the capability to utilize both ionic and UV crosslinking would allow our group to create precise scaffold shapes. Currently, there are ways of 3D printing bioinks; however, those alternative methods include printers that are extremely expensive and difficult to maintain, making them unlikely choices for the average group. In this project, we modified parts for an Ender 3 Pro printer and then implemented those modifications in our printer, in order to print biological scaffolds made of poly(ethylene-glycol) dimethacrylate (PEGDMA) photo-crosslinked with Lithium phenyl- 2, 4, 6 -trimethyl benzoyl phosphinate (LAP).
Aakash Nagarapu
Aakash (he/him) is a senior biomedical engineering major on the pre-med track from Hoffman Estates, IL. Next year, he will be matriculating to medical school at Saint Louis University School of Medicine, where he hopes to pursue a career in neonatology as well as work on a start-up to cure diabetes. At SLU, he serves as the President of MEDLaunch STL, a biotechnology incubator that is part of the Chaifetz Center of Entrepreneurship, and Musical Director for Astha A Cappella, SLU's award-winning South Asian fusion co-ed acapella team, while working as a University Ambassador, Oriflamme Leader, Teaching Assistant, and undergraduate researcher.
Ali Hamed
Ali Hamed (he/him) is a senior biomedical engineering major, as well as an engineering mathematics minor, from Florissant, MO. During his time at SLU, he was repeatedly recognized for both his academic achievements and his involvement in the many organizations that he was a part of. Ali has been an avid member of the Muslim Student Association, Middle-Eastern Association, and LABRES, a service-based club at SLU. Recently, Ali served as president of the Biomedical Engineering Society, finished his second year as a McNair scholar, and performed undergraduate research, which he presented at conferences and symposiums nationwide. Ali plans on attending graduate school to obtain his Ph.D. in BME, and afterward plans on working in the pharmaceutical engineering industry.
Nick Navarrete
Nick Navarrete (he/him) is a Senior Biomedical Engineering major from Villa Park, IL. During his time at Saint Louis University, he was an active member of the Men's Club Volleyball team playing as a Libero/Defensive Specialist as well as serving as Secretary of the team for a year, he held multiple leadership roles in his fraternity Tau Kappa Epsilon (TKE) the most recent being Vice President, and also served as the Interfraternity Council VP of Public Relations/ Greek Week for two consecutive years. After graduation, Nick is planning to take two gap years to build his medical school application through clinical work, shadowing, and volunteering. He intends to pursue a career as a physician in Orthopedic-Sports Medicine / Pediatrics and possibly work with amputee athletes.
Claire Lois
Claire Lois (she/her) is a senior double majoring in Biomedical Engineering and Mathematics from Menomonee Falls, WI. Next year she will be attending the University of Delaware to pursue her PhD in Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering with plans to focus on physical, chemical, or biological insults to the immune response. While at SLU she has been in leadership of many clubs including the Association for Women in Mathematics and Student Government Association. With that she has also worked as a teaching assistant for multiple math classes and a tutor for various STEM courses at SLU.
Dr. Silviya Zustiak (BME) worked with the group to create a hydrogel for use as a bioink as well as helped to design the printer that is being shown at this symposium. Her research is on hydrogel biomaterials and tissue engineering, with emphasis on developing novel biomaterials as cell scaffolds and drug screening platforms, and elucidating matrix structure-property relationships as well as cell-matrix interactions. She was vital to making sure the group would have lab space to create the gels as well as places to test stiffness of the gels that were made.