Origami Techniques Facilitate Sensor Integration in Bioprinted Tissues
The Method Simplifies Monitoring of 3D-Printed Living Structures
In the U.S., over 100,000 individuals rely on organ transplants for survival. To tackle the shortage of donors, bio-printing—3D printing utilizing living cell inks—could pave the way for creating replacement organs. Researchers in Israel have innovated by employing origami techniques to integrate sensors into bio-printed materials, enhancing monitoring capabilities of these structures.
While fully replicating human organs through bio-printing is still unattainable, there are numerous potential implementations for this technology in the near future. It can be used in drug testing, allowing scientists to create live, three-dimensional tissues for evaluating the effects of different substances.
Ideally, researchers aim to embed sensors within the bio-printed items to track their condition. However, ensuring sensors are incorporated effectively into the 3D structures poses challenges.
“It will, hopefully in the future, allow us to monitor and assess 3D biostructures before we would like to transplant them.” —Ben Maoz, Tel Aviv University
Utilizing an origami-inspired 3D platform, scientists can now position sensors precisely within bio-printed creations. “It will, hopefully in the future, allow us to monitor and assess 3D biostructures before we would like to transplant them,” remarks Ben Maoz, a biomedical engineering professor at Tel Aviv University.
The platform consists of a silicone rubber device capable of wrapping around bio-printed objects. This prototype is equipped with a commercial array of 3D electrodes to collect electrical signals, along with other electrodes to measure electrical resistance, indicating cell permeability to drugs. Additionally, a custom 3D software model facilitates the design of the origami and electrode placements, ensuring sensors are appropriately located within the bio-printed structure.
The researchers performed tests on bio-printed clusters of brain cells. The team also developed a layer of cells atop the origami, simulating the blood-brain barrier that safeguards the brain from harmful substances in the bloodstream. By integrating this system, they could observe neural activity and the impact of their synthetic blood-brain barrier on medications intended for brain ailments.
Maoz adds that this device can accommodate various sensors beyond just electrodes, such as those detecting temperature or acidity. It’s also capable of directing liquid flow to nourish cells and provide oxygen.
While currently intended for research, Maoz states, it has the potential to significantly advance drug testing related to brain conditions.
The origami device is versatile enough to be applied to any 3D tissue. For example, it may be utilized with bio-printed constructs derived from patient cells, fostering personalized medicine and innovative drug development.
Additionally, the origami platform has the potential to embed devices that alter bio-printed objects. Many engineered tissues thrive when exposed to physical stresses akin to those encountered in the body, and this platform could be integrated with tools to apply such mechanical forces. “This can assist in accelerating tissue maturation, which might be relevant to clinical applications,” states Maoz.
The researchers shared their findings in the June 26 issue of Advanced Science. More details can be found in the publication here.