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PERSPECTIVE

Directed self-assembly software for single cell

deposition

2
3
1*
Samuel C. Sklare , Winona L. Richey , Benjamin T. Vinson and Douglas B. Chrisey 1,2*
1 Department of Physics and Engineering Physics, Tulane University, New Orleans, LA, 70118, United States of America
2 Department of Biomedical Engineering, Tulane University, New Orleans, LA, 70118, United States of America
3 Bioinnovation Program, Tulane University, New Orleans, LA, 70118, United States of America
Abstract: Laser direct-write (LDW) bioprinting methods offer a diverse set of tools to design experiments, fabricate tissue
constructs and to cellular microenvironments all in a CAD/CAM manner. To date, we have just scratched the surface of
the system’s potential and for LDW to be utilized to its fullest, there are many distinct hardware and software components
that must be integrated and communicate seamlessly. In this perspective article, we detail the development of novel
graphical user interface (GUI) software to improve LDW capability and functionality. The main modules in the control
software correspond to cell transfer, microbead fabrication, and micromachining. The modules make the control of each of
these features, and the management of printing programs that utilize one or more features, to be facile. The software also
addresses problems related to construct scale-up, print speed, experimental conditions, and management of sensor data. The
control software and possibilities for integrated sensor data are presented.
Keywords: CAD/CAM bioprinting, laser direct-write, single-cell printing, GUI software, machine learning
*Correspondence to:
Samuel Charles Sklare, Department of Physics and Engineering Physics, Tulane University, New Orleans, LA, 70118, United States of America;
Email: ssklare@tulane.edu
Douglas Brian Chrisey, Department of Physics and Engineering Physics, Tulane University, New Orleans, LA, 70118, United States of America;
Email: douglasbchrisey@gmail.com

Received: May 2, 2017; Accepted: May 19, 2017; Published Online: June XX, 2017
Citation: Sklare SC, Richey W, Vinson BT, et al. 2017, Directed self-assembly software for single cell deposition. International Journal
of Bioprinting, vol.3(2): 100–108. https://doi.org/10.18063/IJB.2017.02.002.

1. Introduction microbead cellular microenvironments , and study cell
[2]
[3]
tissue interactions .
aser direct-write (LDW) bioprinting methods To date, we have just scratched the surface of the
offer a diverse set of tools to design experiments
Land to fabricate tissue constructs and cellular system’s potential. For the system to be utilized to
its maximum, there are many distinct hardware and
microenvironments all in a CAD/CAM manner. Like
extrusion and ink-jet based printing techniques, LDW
bioprinting relies on the ability to reproducibly transfer
biomaterial, such as cells, to engineer three-dimensional
constructs layer-by-layer. To achieve transfer, a quartz
disk (“ribbon”) is coated on one side with an energy-
absorbing (or sacrificial) layer and a biomaterial (or
transfer) layer often containing cell-laden materials.
The laser beam is focused at the absorbing layer-ribbon
interface. The pulsed laser then generates a small pocket
of vapor that propels the biomaterial layer as a droplet
onto a receiving substrate (Figure 1).
Mounting the ribbon and substrate on computer-
controlled three-dimensional stages allows researchers
[1]
to use LDW to engineer neural networks , fabricate Figure 1. Expanding vapor bubble
Directed self-assembly software for single cell deposition. © 2017 Samuel Charles Sklare, et al. This is an Open Access article distributed under the terms
of the Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial 4.0 International License (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc/4.0/), permitting all non-
commercial use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original work is properly cited.
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