Fabrication and validation of an affordable DIY coaxial 3D extrusion bioprinter

Abstract 3D bioprinting has emerged as a promising technology in tissue engineering, allowing for the precise fabrication of complex structures to mimic native tissues. Coaxial bioprinting enhances the complexity of printed structures by extruding multiple materials in concentric layers. However, co...

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Main Authors: M. Jergitsch, R. Soiunov, F. Selinger, M. Frauenlob, L. M. Delgado, S. Perez-Amodio, R. A. Perez, M. A. Mateos-Timoneda
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: Nature Portfolio 2025-07-01
Series:Scientific Reports
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Online Access:https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-025-06478-9
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author M. Jergitsch
R. Soiunov
F. Selinger
M. Frauenlob
L. M. Delgado
S. Perez-Amodio
R. A. Perez
M. A. Mateos-Timoneda
author_facet M. Jergitsch
R. Soiunov
F. Selinger
M. Frauenlob
L. M. Delgado
S. Perez-Amodio
R. A. Perez
M. A. Mateos-Timoneda
author_sort M. Jergitsch
collection DOAJ
description Abstract 3D bioprinting has emerged as a promising technology in tissue engineering, allowing for the precise fabrication of complex structures to mimic native tissues. Coaxial bioprinting enhances the complexity of printed structures by extruding multiple materials in concentric layers. However, costly commercial systems and a lack of Do-it-Yourself (DIY) guides for coaxial 3D bioprinting limit the wider adoption of this technology. This study presents a detailed description of modifying a commercial 3D printer to a coaxial 3D bioprinting system that simultaneously drives two syringe pump extruders connected to a coaxial nozzle. The system was validated using a soft alginate-gelatin hydrogel core and a load-bearing methylcellulose-based (MC) hydrogel shell. Shape fidelity of the 3D printed structures was evaluated for core-shell extrusion ratio, coaxial nozzle configuration, and in-situ crosslinking of the hydrogel core. Employing optimized printing settings allowed the fabrication of complex scaffold structures with a gradual transition between the extrusion of core and shell material. Mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) encapsulated in varying alginate concentrations were printed, maintaining shape fidelity and high cell viability. In conclusion, we developed a cost-effective DIY coaxial 3D bioprinter capable of extruding soft cell-laden hydrogels that are not printable by conventional extrusion bioprinting. This printer presents an easy to build and modify platform to encourage a wider audience to utilize and tailor coaxial bioprinting for their specific requirements.
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spelling doaj-art-3f459081dc4241e69aba622d3e1cb8892025-08-20T04:01:34ZengNature PortfolioScientific Reports2045-23222025-07-0115111310.1038/s41598-025-06478-9Fabrication and validation of an affordable DIY coaxial 3D extrusion bioprinterM. Jergitsch0R. Soiunov1F. Selinger2M. Frauenlob3L. M. Delgado4S. Perez-Amodio5R. A. Perez6M. A. Mateos-Timoneda7Bioengineering Institute of Technology, Universitat Internacional de CatalunyaBioengineering Institute of Technology, Universitat Internacional de CatalunyaFaculty of Technical Chemistry, TU WienFaculty of Technical Chemistry, TU WienBioengineering Institute of Technology, Universitat Internacional de CatalunyaBioengineering Institute of Technology, Universitat Internacional de CatalunyaBioengineering Institute of Technology, Universitat Internacional de CatalunyaBioengineering Institute of Technology, Universitat Internacional de CatalunyaAbstract 3D bioprinting has emerged as a promising technology in tissue engineering, allowing for the precise fabrication of complex structures to mimic native tissues. Coaxial bioprinting enhances the complexity of printed structures by extruding multiple materials in concentric layers. However, costly commercial systems and a lack of Do-it-Yourself (DIY) guides for coaxial 3D bioprinting limit the wider adoption of this technology. This study presents a detailed description of modifying a commercial 3D printer to a coaxial 3D bioprinting system that simultaneously drives two syringe pump extruders connected to a coaxial nozzle. The system was validated using a soft alginate-gelatin hydrogel core and a load-bearing methylcellulose-based (MC) hydrogel shell. Shape fidelity of the 3D printed structures was evaluated for core-shell extrusion ratio, coaxial nozzle configuration, and in-situ crosslinking of the hydrogel core. Employing optimized printing settings allowed the fabrication of complex scaffold structures with a gradual transition between the extrusion of core and shell material. Mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) encapsulated in varying alginate concentrations were printed, maintaining shape fidelity and high cell viability. In conclusion, we developed a cost-effective DIY coaxial 3D bioprinter capable of extruding soft cell-laden hydrogels that are not printable by conventional extrusion bioprinting. This printer presents an easy to build and modify platform to encourage a wider audience to utilize and tailor coaxial bioprinting for their specific requirements.https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-025-06478-9Tissue engineeringDIY bioprintingCoaxial 3D extrusion bioprintingBioinkIn-situ crosslinking
spellingShingle M. Jergitsch
R. Soiunov
F. Selinger
M. Frauenlob
L. M. Delgado
S. Perez-Amodio
R. A. Perez
M. A. Mateos-Timoneda
Fabrication and validation of an affordable DIY coaxial 3D extrusion bioprinter
Scientific Reports
Tissue engineering
DIY bioprinting
Coaxial 3D extrusion bioprinting
Bioink
In-situ crosslinking
title Fabrication and validation of an affordable DIY coaxial 3D extrusion bioprinter
title_full Fabrication and validation of an affordable DIY coaxial 3D extrusion bioprinter
title_fullStr Fabrication and validation of an affordable DIY coaxial 3D extrusion bioprinter
title_full_unstemmed Fabrication and validation of an affordable DIY coaxial 3D extrusion bioprinter
title_short Fabrication and validation of an affordable DIY coaxial 3D extrusion bioprinter
title_sort fabrication and validation of an affordable diy coaxial 3d extrusion bioprinter
topic Tissue engineering
DIY bioprinting
Coaxial 3D extrusion bioprinting
Bioink
In-situ crosslinking
url https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-025-06478-9
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