Page 18 - IJB-3-2

Directed self-assembly software for single cell deposition

Figure 7. Secondary screen
printing accuracy.
4. Cell fate can now be used to reevaluate printing
parameters and incorporated into the entire optimization
model.
4. Conclusion

The precision and versatility offered by LDW method is
exciting. However, when compared to extrusion, pa ttern-
ing, or even inkjet methods, LDWtransfers a relatively
[16]
small amount of material . So while the ability to in-
di vi dually target and transfer single-cells or clusters
is critical in certain applications, the eventual scale-
up capabilities of laser-based methods presents even
Figure 8. Bead parameter calculator more challenges to large tissue and organ engineering
applications. Because of this, LDW has traditionally
identifies cells using feature recognition. Then, based on been used to create customizable and disposable expe-
an empirical model, the cells are sorted by “printability”. riments and micro-environments rather than large-
Printability is based on the discernable physical appear- scale 3D printing. The exciting research to create larger
ance of the cell and location, i.e., its proximity to other additively manufactured constructs, being done by Yan
cells and the condition of hydrogel in that location. et al. and other groups, may advance this paradigm to
[17]
2. A printing program to transfer the cells into a 10×10 the next level .
Combining the ability to fabricate a cellular micro-
grid is loaded and executed; printing metadata is logged environment and precise placement of cells into that
throughout. microenvironment in one system enables researchers to
3. Each grid point now has an associated cell-fate recapitulate complex cellular constructs automatically
outcome (live/dead data), printing metadata, and print- and reproducibly. Doing this quickly requires an inte-
ability metric (based on cell appearance, proximity to grated software designed for bioprinting-specific tasks.
other cells, and visible local hydrogel conditions). Grid The bioprinting control suite presented in this article
points are discernable due to LDW +/- 5 μm single-cell is an example of integrated software with bio printing-

106 International Journal of Bioprinting (2017)–Volume 3, Issue 2