CLC number:
On-line Access: 2024-08-27
Received: 2023-10-17
Revision Accepted: 2024-05-08
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Saeed Fathi, Iek Man Lei, Yang Cao & Yan Yan Shery Huang. Microcapillary cell extrusion deposition with picolitre dispensing resolution[J]. Journal of Zhejiang University Science D, 2023, 6(1): 1-11.
@article{title="Microcapillary cell extrusion deposition with picolitre dispensing
resolution",
author="Saeed Fathi, Iek Man Lei, Yang Cao & Yan Yan Shery Huang",
journal="Journal of Zhejiang University Science D",
volume="6",
number="1",
pages="1-11",
year="2023",
publisher="Zhejiang University Press & Springer",
doi="10.1007/s42242-022-00205-3"
}
%0 Journal Article
%T Microcapillary cell extrusion deposition with picolitre dispensing
resolution
%A Saeed Fathi
%A Iek Man Lei
%A Yang Cao & Yan Yan Shery Huang
%J Journal of Zhejiang University SCIENCE D
%V 6
%N 1
%P 1-11
%@ 1869-1951
%D 2023
%I Zhejiang University Press & Springer
%DOI 10.1007/s42242-022-00205-3
TY - JOUR
T1 - Microcapillary cell extrusion deposition with picolitre dispensing
resolution
A1 - Saeed Fathi
A1 - Iek Man Lei
A1 - Yang Cao & Yan Yan Shery Huang
J0 - Journal of Zhejiang University Science D
VL - 6
IS - 1
SP - 1
EP - 11
%@ 1869-1951
Y1 - 2023
PB - Zhejiang University Press & Springer
ER -
DOI - 10.1007/s42242-022-00205-3
Abstract: Extrusion-based cell deposition has become a prominent technique for expanding bioprinting applications. However, the associated print resolution in the order of nanolitre or above has been a limiting factor. The demand for improving print resolution
towards the scale of a single cell has driven the development of precision nozzle extrusion, although the benefits gained remain
ambiguous. Here, aided by in situ imaging, we investigated the dynamics of cell organisation through an extrusion-based
microcapillary tip with picolitre precision through in-air or immersion deposition. The microcapillary extrusion setup, termed
Picodis, was demonstrated by generating droplets of colouring inks immersed in an immiscible medium. Next, using 3T3
fibroblast cells as an experimental model, we demonstrated the deposition of cell suspension, and pre-aggregated cell pellets.
Then, the dynamic organisation of cells within the microcapillary tip was described, along with cell ejection and deposition
upon exiting the tip opening. The vision-assisted approach revealed that when dispersed in a culture medium, the movements
of cells were distinctive based on the flow profiles and were purely driven by laminar fluid flow within a narrow tip. The
primary process limitations were cell sedimentation, aggregation and compaction, along with trapped air bubbles. The use
of picolitre-level resolution microcapillary extrusion, although it provides some level of control for a small number of cells,
does not necessarily offer a reliable method when a specified number of cells are required. Our study provides insights into
the process limitations of high-resolution cell ink extrusion, which may be useful for optimising biofabrication processes of
cell-laden constructs for biomedical research.
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