@article {49087, title = {Biodegradable and 3D printable lysine functionalized polycaprolactone scaffolds for tissue engineering applications}, journal = {Biomaterials Advances}, volume = {159}, year = {2024}, month = {MAY}, pages = {213816}, type = {Article}, abstract = {

Tissue engineering (TE) has sparked interest in creating scaffolds with customizable properties and functional bioactive sites. However, due to limitations in medical practices and manufacturing technologies, it is challenging to replicate complex porous frameworks with appropriate architectures and bioactivity in vitro. To address these challenges, herein, we present a green approach that involves the amino acid (L-lysine) initiated polymerization of epsilon-caprolactone (CL) to produce modified polycaprolactone (PCL) with favorable active sites for TE applications. Further, to better understand the effect of morphology and porosity on cell attachment and proliferation, scaffolds of different geometries with uniform and interconnected pores are designed and fabricated, and their properties are evaluated in comparison with commercial PCL. The scaffold morphology and complex internal micro-architecture are imaged by micro-computed tomography (micro-CT), revealing pore size in the range of similar to 300-900 mu m and porosity ranging from 30 to 70 \%, while based on the geometry of scaffolds the compressive strength varied from 143 +/- 19 to 214 +/- 10 MPa. Additionally, the degradation profiles of fabricated scaffolds are found to be influenced by both the chemical nature and product design, where Lys-PCL-based scaffolds with better porosity and lower crystallinity degraded faster than commercial PCL scaffolds. According to in vitro studies, Lys-PCL scaffolds have produced an environment that is better for cell adhesion and proliferation. Moreover, the scaffold design affects the way cells interact; Lys-PCL with zigzag geometry has demonstrated superior in vitro vitality (\>90 \%) and proliferation in comparison to other designs. This study emphasizes the importance of enhancing bioactivity while meeting morphology and porosity requirements in the design of scaffolds for tissue engineering applications.

}, keywords = {Additive manufacturing, Amino acid, Micro-computed tomography, Polycaprolactone}, doi = {10.1016/j.bioadv.2024.213816}, author = {Naik, Sonali S. and Torris, Arun and Choudhury, Namita R. and Dutta, Naba K. and Nair, Kiran Sukumaran} } @article {49327, title = {Extrusion 3D printing of intrinsically fluorescent thermoplastic polyimide: revealing an undisclosed potential}, journal = {POLYMERS}, volume = {16}, year = {2024}, month = {OCT}, type = {Journal Article}, keywords = {Additive manufacturing, functional extrusion, high-performance polymers, thermoplastic polyimide}, doi = {10.3390/polym16192798}, author = {Kothavade, Premkumar and Kafi, Abdullah and Dekiwadia, Chaitali and Kumar, Viksit and Sukumaran, Santhosh Babu and Shanmuganathan, Kadhiravan and Bateman, Stuart} } @article {49888, title = {Bacterial nanocellulose enhances osteogenic activity of Vat-based 3D-bio-printed silk fibroin hydrogels}, journal = {International Journal of Biological Macromolecules}, volume = {328}, year = {2025}, month = {NOV}, pages = {147532}, type = {Article}, abstract = {

Tissue engineering, particularly leveraging three-dimensional (3D) bioprinting, is emerging as a transformative solution to repair critical-size bone defects. However, identifying suitable biomaterials remains a key technological bottleneck in the field. Toward this broader goal, this study explored a composite bioink containing photocurable silk fibroin (SF) and bacterial nanocellulose (BNC) for fabricating scaffolds for bone tissue engineering (BTE) by 3D bioprinting using digital light projection (DLP). We prepared scaffolds with 0, 0.25, and 0.75 wt\% BNC and characterized their physicochemical properties (degradation, viscoelasticity, porosity, compressive strength). We assessed samples in simulated body fluid (SBF) after 14 days to evaluate biomineralization. Additionally, using MC3T3-E1 preosteoblast cells, we examined cell viability, metabolic activity, proliferation, and osteogenic potential through alkaline phosphatase (ALP), Alizarin Red S (ARS), von Kossa, hematoxylin and eosin (H\&E), and Picrosirius Red assays. The optimized bioinks produced hydrogels with controlled degradation, tunable viscoelasticity, interconnected pores, and significantly improved compressive strength. Specifically, 10 \% methacrylated-silk with 0.75 \% BNC (Silk-MA/0.75BNC) showed superior mechanical properties compared to 10 \% Silk-MA or 10 \% Silk-MA with 0.25 \% BNC (Silk-MA/0.25BNC). In vitro studies confirmed enhanced biomineralization with Silk-MA/0.75BNC, increased calcium deposits, and improved cell viability and metabolic activity with BNC incorporation. Hence, the 3D-bioprinted composite scaffolds were shown to effectively support cell proliferation, with the 0.75 \% BNC bioink significantly stimulating osteogenic markers. These results underscore the potential of Silk-MA/BNC composite bioinks for advanced 3D bioprinting of BTE constructs.

}, keywords = {Additive manufacturing, bacterial nanocellulose, Bone repair, Methacrylated silk fibroin}, issn = {0141-8130}, doi = {10.1016/j.ijbiomac.2025.147532}, author = {Waidi, Yusuf Olatunji and Jagtap, Ashish and Dastagar, Syed G. and Chatterjee, Kaushik} } @article {49925, title = {Critical advances in biofabrication and biomaterial strategies in tracheal tissue engineering: A comprehensive overview}, journal = {Advances in Colloid and Interface Science}, volume = {345}, year = {2025}, month = {NOV}, pages = {103604}, type = {Article}, abstract = {

The trachea is a vital respiratory organ that connects the larynx to the lungs and performs crucial functions. Various conditions can cause severe and often irreversible damage to individuals trachea of all age groups. Tracheal regeneration remains a major challenge in respiratory medicine, requiring a innovative solutions to address various underlying causes. Existing clinical interventions often have significant limitations and associated complications. Tissue engineering has potential, but its effectiveness has been limited due to challenges such as poor durability and insufficient revascularization. This review aims to provide a comprehensive exploration of the landscape of tracheal regeneration, shedding light on the path towards advancements in addressing extensive tracheal defects. It follows a structured approach, introducing various surgical procedures, along with their associated complications. Subsequently, it delves into the myriad biomaterials investigated in the realm of tracheal tissue engineering, emphasizing the significance of design considerations in scaffold fabrication. The review then navigates through various platforms utilized in tracheal tissue engineering and recent innovative approaches employed in this domain. Additionally, it provides insights into the clinical translation of tissueengineered trachea, highlighting recent advancements and challenges encountered in real-world applications. Finally, it discusses the significant challenges and offers a perspective outlook on the future of tracheal tissue engineering. Addressing current limitations and envisioning novel strategies, the review contributes to the ongoing dialogue and progression in this critical field of regenerative medicine.

}, keywords = {3D printing, 4D printing, Additive manufacturing, Biomaterials, Cell sheet engineering, Organoid printing, Tracheal tissue engineering}, issn = {0001-8686}, doi = {10.1016/j.cis.2025.103604}, author = {Naik, Sonali S. and Dutta, Naba K. and Nair, Kiran Sukumaran and Choudhury, Namita Roy} }