A novel approach of 3D bioprinting using uncultured stem cells and bioactive glass

The primary research objective of this project is to investigate the ability of adipose derived mesenchymal stem cells (AD-MSCs) and bioactive borate glass (B3 glass) to collectively repair tissues requiring high vascularization. The research is also expected to generate a novel technique of solvent-based extrusion of a unique B3 glass and uncultured AD-MSCs to produce a vascularized scaffold by 3D printing. The proposed research will investigate the 3D printing of AD-MSCs with pluronic P-127 hydrogel and polycaprolactone (PCL)/bioactive glass composite in a single process. This will generate new knowledge on the role of uncultured AD-MSCs and B3 glass in vascularization. The long-term practical objective of this research is to produce a reproducible, cellularized scaffold that could be used to repair highly vascularized tissues such as kidney, skin, bone, and cardiac tissue. After scaffold fabrication, tests will include a long-term degradation analysis of the hydrogel and polymer-glass composite in a simulated body fluid, its bioactivity, and mechanical assessment of the scaffold. The tests will be followed by in vitro assessment including cell viability, differentiation to endothelium and bone, and AD-MSCs deposition of extra cellular matrix in a 3D environment. Finally, we propose a chick embryo chorioallantoic membrane (CAM) assay to investigate the vascular network formation in the 3D bioprinted scaffold as it provides an excellent model system to quantify the blood vessel formation and growth