CLC number:
On-line Access: 2025-07-30
Received: 2024-11-12
Revision Accepted: 2025-01-14
Crosschecked: 0000-00-00
Cited: 0
Clicked: 5
Jiao Guan, Yazhi Sun, Emmie J. Yao, Yi Xiang, Mary K. Melarkey, Grace Y. Lu, Amelia H. Burns, Nancy Zhang, Shaochen Chen. Machine learning-assisted stiffness prediction in high-cell-density bioprinting[J]. Journal of Zhejiang University Science D, 2025, 8(4): 543–557.
@article{title="Machine learning-assisted stiffness prediction in high-cell-density
bioprinting",
author="Jiao Guan, Yazhi Sun, Emmie J. Yao, Yi Xiang, Mary K. Melarkey, Grace Y. Lu, Amelia H. Burns, Nancy Zhang, Shaochen Chen",
journal="Journal of Zhejiang University Science D",
volume="8",
number="4",
pages="543–557",
year="2025",
publisher="Zhejiang University Press & Springer",
doi="10.1631/bdm.2400454"
}
%0 Journal Article
%T Machine learning-assisted stiffness prediction in high-cell-density
bioprinting
%A Jiao Guan
%A Yazhi Sun
%A Emmie J. Yao
%A Yi Xiang
%A Mary K. Melarkey
%A Grace Y. Lu
%A Amelia H. Burns
%A Nancy Zhang
%A Shaochen Chen
%J Journal of Zhejiang University SCIENCE D
%V 8
%N 4
%P 543–557
%@ 1869-1951
%D 2025
%I Zhejiang University Press & Springer
%DOI 10.1631/bdm.2400454
TY - JOUR
T1 - Machine learning-assisted stiffness prediction in high-cell-density
bioprinting
A1 - Jiao Guan
A1 - Yazhi Sun
A1 - Emmie J. Yao
A1 - Yi Xiang
A1 - Mary K. Melarkey
A1 - Grace Y. Lu
A1 - Amelia H. Burns
A1 - Nancy Zhang
A1 - Shaochen Chen
J0 - Journal of Zhejiang University Science D
VL - 8
IS - 4
SP - 543–557
EP -
%@ 1869-1951
Y1 - 2025
PB - Zhejiang University Press & Springer
ER -
DOI - 10.1631/bdm.2400454
Abstract: bioprinting of cell-laden hydrogels is a rapidly growing field in tissue engineering. The advent of digital light processing
(DLP) three-dimensional (3D) bioprinting technique has revolutionized the fabrication of complex 3D structures. By adjust‐
ing light exposure, it becomes possible to control the mechanical properties of the structure, a critical factor in modulating
cell activities. To better mimic cell densities in real tissues, recent progress has been made in achieving high-cell-density
(HCD) printing with high resolution. However, regulating the stiffness in HCD constructs remains challenging. The large
volume of cells greatly affects the light-based DLP bioprinting by causing light absorption, reflection, and scattering. Here,
we introduce a neural network-based machine learning technique to predict the stiffness of cell-laden hydrogel scaffolds. Us‐
ing comprehensive mechanical testing data from 3D bioprinted samples, the model was trained to deliver accurate predic‐
tions. To address the demand of working with precious and costly cell types, we employed various methods to ensure the
generalizability of the model, even with limited datasets. We demonstrated a transfer learning method to achieve good perfor‐
mance for a precious cell type with a reduced amount of data. The chosen method outperformed many other machine learn‐
ing techniques, offering a reliable and efficient solution for stiffness prediction in cell-laden scaffolds. This breakthrough
paves the way for the next generation of precision bioprinting and more customized tissue engineering.
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