Rapid Liquid 3D-Printing of Microchannels using Aqueous Two-Phase Systems: Towards Vascular Tissue Modelling Applications

Abstract

In vitro models are used to study disease characteristics at a cellular and molecular level. However, conventional modelling techniques have several limitations such as complex fabrication steps, limited scalability, complicated microscopic visualizations of cells, or fail to fully support 3D cultures of cells. To address these issues, this thesis takes a novel approach utilizing rapid liquid 3D-printing (RL3DP) of a biocompatible aqueous two-phase ink and matrix system to create complex tubular structures within a hydrogel matrix where cells can be cultured in physiologically relevant environments for modelling soft tissue. Fluid characteristics, mechanical properties, and cellular viability assays were examined to select polymer concentrations suitable for printing uniform microchannels of 100-1500 μm in diameter. Collectively, the analysis outlined in this thesis supports the applicability of the ink and matrix ATPS systems use for RL3DP applications for soft tissue engineering and disease modelling applications.