2. Academic Validation
  3. 3D printing enables separation of orthogonal functions within a hydrogel particle

3D printing enables separation of orthogonal functions within a hydrogel particle

  • Biomed Microdevices. 2016 Jun;18(3):49. doi: 10.1007/s10544-016-0068-9.
Ritu Raman 1 2,  Nicholas E Clay 3,  Sanjeet Sen 3,  Molly Melhem 4,  Ellen Qin 3,  Hyunjoon Kong 3,  Rashid Bashir 5 6
Affiliations

Affiliations

  • 1 Department of Mechanical Science and Engineering, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, 1206 West Green Street, Urbana, IL, 61801, USA.
  • 2 Micro and Nanotechnology Laboratory, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, 208 North Wright Street, Urbana, IL, 61801, USA.
  • 3 Department of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, 600 South Mathews Avenue, Urbana, IL, 61801, USA.
  • 4 Department of Bioengineering, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, 1270 Digital Computer Laboratory, MC-278, 1304 West Springfield Avenue, Urbana, IL, 61801, USA.
  • 5 Micro and Nanotechnology Laboratory, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, 208 North Wright Street, Urbana, IL, 61801, USA. rbashir@illinois.edu.
  • 6 Department of Bioengineering, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, 1270 Digital Computer Laboratory, MC-278, 1304 West Springfield Avenue, Urbana, IL, 61801, USA. rbashir@illinois.edu.
PMID: 27215416 DOI: 10.1007/s10544-016-0068-9
Abstract

Multifunctional particles with distinct physiochemical phases are required by a variety of applications in biomedical engineering, such as diagnostic imaging and targeted Drug Delivery. This motivates the development of a repeatable, efficient, and customizable approach to manufacturing particles with spatially segregated bioactive moieties. This study demonstrates a stereolithographic 3D printing approach for designing and fabricating large arrays of biphasic poly (ethylene glycol) diacrylate (PEGDA) gel particles. The fabrication parameters governing the physical and biochemical properties of multi-layered particles are thoroughly investigated, yielding a readily tunable approach to manufacturing customizable arrays of multifunctional particles. The advantage in spatially organizing functional epitopes is examined by loading superparamagnetic iron oxide nanoparticles (SPIONs) and bovine serum albumin (BSA) in separate layers of biphasic PEGDA gel particles and examining SPION-induced magnetic resonance (MR) contrast and BSA-release kinetics. Particles with spatial segregation of functional moieties have demonstrably higher MR contrast and BSA release. Overall, this study will contribute significant knowledge to the preparation of multifunctional particles for use as biomedical tools.

Keywords

3D printing; Biomaterial; Hydrogel; Polyethylene glycol; Stereolithography.

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