Evaluation of the printability of polyethylene glycol diacrylate solutions for three-dimensional printing of organ-on-a-chips

• Grant number: 24/18054-4
• Support Opportunities: Scholarships in Brazil - Scientific Initiation
• Start date: July 01, 2025
• End date: June 30, 2026
• Field of knowledge: Health Sciences - Dentistry - Dental Materials
• Principal Investigator: Diana Gabriela Soares dos Passos
• Grantee: Gabriela Duarte de Carvalho
• Host Institution: Faculdade de Odontologia de Bauru (FOB). Universidade de São Paulo (USP). Bauru , SP, Brazil
• Associated research grant: 23/01623-3 - Association of bioprinting and 3D printing techniques for the simulation of pulp and bone microenvironments in organ-on-a-chip systems, AP.R

Abstract

Organs-on-a-chip are innovative devices with the potential to revolutionize the impact of in vitro studies. Currently, soft lithography is one of the most utilized methodologies for their production. However, additive manufacturing techniques, especially mask stereolithography 3D printing (mSLA), possess characteristics that ensure high autonomy and flexibility in the development of these devices. On the other hand, the production of specific materials (biomaterial inks) for 3D printing of organs-on-a-chip is still limited. For this reason, this research project aims to assess the printability of different polyethylene glycol diacrylate (PEGDA) solutions across three phases. Phase 1 involves conducting screening using various PEGDA solutions supplemented with deionized water (in proportions of 30%, 15%, or 0, v/v), the photoinitiator phenyl-2,4,6-trimethylbenzoylphosphine oxide (LAP; 0.1% or 0.4%, w/w), and a photo absorber (orange G, avobenzone, or tartrazine, 0.1% or 0.4%, v/v). The screening will be established through the depth of cure test. In Phase 2, the biomaterial inks that performed best during screening will be selected, defining the TBO, TBA, and TBT groups (biomaterial inks with Orange G, Avobenzone, and Tartrazine, respectively). The inks will be calibrated using linear measurements to define their optimal printing parameters. These values will be used to conduct porosity printability tests (n = 6) and swelling assays (n = 6). In Phase 3, a biological characterization of the TBO, TBA, and TBT groups will be performed. Human osteoblastic cell line (SAOS-2) cells will be utilized to assess cellular metabolism (Alamar Blue) at 1, 5, and 7 days (n = 6), and cell viability (Live/Dead) at 7 days (n = 2). The obtained data will be evaluated qualitatively and quantitatively using appropriate statistical or descriptive methods. (AU)