title: Three-dimensional Biomimetic Technology: Novel Biorubber Creates Defined Micro- and Macro-scale Architectures in Collagen Hydrogels.
abstract: Tissue scaffolds play a crucial role in the tissue regeneration process. The ideal scaffold must fulfill several requirements such as having proper composition, targeted modulus, and well-defined architectural features. Biomaterials that recapitulate the intrinsic architecture of in vivo tissue are vital for studying diseases as well as to facilitate the regeneration of lost and malformed soft tissue. A novel biofabrication technique was developed which combines state of the art imaging, three-dimensional (3D) printing, and selective enzymatic activity to create a new generation of biomaterials for research and clinical application. The developed material, Bovine Serum Albumin rubber, is reaction injected into a mold that upholds specific geometrical features. This sacrificial material allows the adequate transfer of architectural features to a natural scaffold material. The prototype consists of a 3D collagen scaffold with 4 and 3 mm channels that represent a branched architecture. This paper emphasizes the use of this biofabrication technique for the generation of natural constructs. This protocol utilizes a computer-aided software (CAD) to manufacture a solid mold which will be reaction injected with BSA rubber followed by the enzymatic digestion of the rubber, leaving its architectural features within the scaffold material.
authors.affiliation: Department of Surgery - Division of General Surgery, Medical University of South Carolina.
authors.forename: Veronica
authors.initials: V
authors.lastname: Rodriguez-Rivera
authors.affiliation: Department of Chemical Engineering, University of South Carolina.
authors.forename: John W
authors.initials: JW
authors.lastname: Weidner
authors.affiliation: Department of Surgery - Division of General Surgery, Medical University of South Carolina; yostm@musc.edu.
authors.forename: Michael J
authors.initials: MJ
authors.lastname: Yost
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D001672:Biocompatible Materials / Q000138:chemical synthesis*; D040761:Biomimetic Materials / Q000138:chemical synthesis*; D002417:Cattle; D060326:Chemistry Techniques, Synthetic / Q000379:methods; D003094:Collagen / Q000737:chemistry*; D020100:Hydrogels / Q000737:chemistry*; D021621:Imaging, Three-Dimensional; D066330:Printing, Three-Dimensional; D012709:Serum Albumin / Q000737:chemistry; D012984:Software; D023822:Tissue Engineering / Q000379:methods; D054457:Tissue Scaffolds / Q000737:chemistry*
chemical_list: D001672:Biocompatible Materials; D020100:Hydrogels; D012709:Serum Albumin; D003094:Collagen