3D Printing
News Videos Newsletter Contact us
Home / Bioprinting / New Breakthroughs in 3D Bacterial Printing
qidi

New Breakthroughs in 3D Bacterial Printing

March 24, 2017

Bioprinting is much broader than it may seem at first. It deals with many different materials ranging from tissue to stem cells. For this reason, it has diversified into many different subcategories as of late. One of them is the rapidly growing branch of 3D bacterial printing.

Researchers at Delft University of Technology have developed a modified 3D printer that can effectively print micro-organisms. The research team in question used a commercially available 3D printer and retooled it to utilize bioinks. To achieve the desired effects, the researchers changed the extruder to a pipette tip and fitted it with customized tubing. This allowed the printer to maintain the appropriate temperature range necessary for the bacteria to thrive. A secondary tip was also added so that the printer could alternate between different bioinks.

The bioink contains the bacteria suspended in a mixture of a growth medium and an alginate gel. Due to the gel, the mixture solidifies at room temperature when in contact with calcium chloride. Because of this, CaCl is used as a surface as it can keep the bacteria viable for 48 hours.

So far, they have only attempted 3D bacterial printing but future experiments may allow for a wider range of possibilities.

Applications of the Research

The development of bacteria runs parallel to various other possibilities in the field. The research opens up the possibility of producing various other micro-organisms or enzymes. Additionally, it may eventually further our understanding of various viruses and pathogens.

One of the most promising applications is in the field of bespoke material production. The technology can be modified to print onto sheets of graphene-oxide and produce graphene. This is achieved when the bacteria metabolises the oxygen, leaving graphene. The traditional methods of producing graphene require precise temperatures and powerful chemicals. Conversely, this method provides an alternative that could potentially be cheaper and more environmentally friendly.

Graphene has many different applications due to its unique properties. It is very tough, incredibly strong and flexible. Previously, scientists have used it as an electrical conductor. Due to its conductive nature, researchers used graphene to craft a skin-like material with receptors that allow it to transmit a sense of touch. As it is relatively new, companies are still exploring the possibilities of this versatile material.

3d printed graphene seaweed featured
Related Story
Graphene Seaweed Composite Forms Prints Stronger Than Steel

Another use of 3D bacterial printing is in the production of small, yet complex structures. It presents an opportunity to tinker with vitamins, enzymes and other microstructures. This can aid the medical industry in producing antibiotics. It may also present an avenue into revolutionising nano-machines.

This exciting new development is currently in its initial stages. There is much more work to be done but the future of this field looks bright already.

Paper: Lehner, B. A. E., Schmieden, D. T. & Meyer, A. S. A straightforward approach for 3D bacterial printing. ACS Synth. Biol. acssynbio.6b00395 (2017). doi:10.1021/acssynbio.6b00395

Share:
WhatsApp Twitter Facebook LinkedIn Buffer Reddit E-mail
Join our newsletter

Our newsletter is free & you can unsubscribe any time.

Latest posts

McGill Spinout Uses 3D Bioprinting to Create Tumors for Smarter Cancer Treatments

TissueTinker, a McGill University spinout company, has developed 3D bioprinting technology to create miniaturized tumor models for cancer drug testing. The company recently... read more »

Medical
McGill Spinout Uses 3D Bioprinting to Create Tumors for Smarter Cancer Treatments

University of Twente Awarded €13.6M for Research in Circular 3D Printing and Transparent AI

The University of Twente has received €13.6 million in funding from the 2024 NWA ORC program to lead two research projects focused on... read more »

News
University of Twente Awarded €13.6M for Research in Circular 3D Printing and Transparent AI

China’s 3D Printed Micro Turbojet Engine Completes Maiden Flight

The Aero Engine Corporation of China (AECC) has successfully completed the first flight test of its 3D-printed micro turbojet engine in Inner Mongolia... read more »

Aerospace
China's 3D Printed Micro Turbojet Engine Completes Maiden Flight

Laser-Assisted Cold Spray Technology Enhances Material Deposition Process

Researchers at the University of Cambridge's Center for Industrial Photonics have developed a new additive manufacturing technique called laser-assisted cold spray (LACS). The... read more »

3D Printing Metal
Laser-Assisted Cold Spray Technology Enhances Material Deposition Process

Titomic Netherlands Secures Strategic Funding to Advance Cold Spray 3D Printing Technology

Titomic Limited, an Australian company specializing in cold spray additive manufacturing, has received €800,000 in funding from the Netherlands' 3D Print Kompas program.... read more »

3D Printing Metal
Titomic Netherlands Secures Strategic Funding to Advance Cold Spray 3D Printing Technology

3D-Printed Insects Help Scientists Map the Limits of Mimicry in Nature

Researchers at the University of Nottingham have developed a method to 3D print life-sized, color-accurate insect models for biological research. The team, led... read more »

Environmental

University of Hong Kong Scientists Explore Growing Organs with 3D Printing Technology

Researchers at the University of Hong Kong (HKU) are working to combine 3D-printed respiratory tissue with lab-grown organoids to create functional airways for... read more »

Bioprinting
University of Hong Kong Scientists Explore Growing Organs with 3D Printing Technology

SHINING 3D Unveils EinScan Rigil with Tri-Mode Scanning for Pro-sumer Flexibility

SHINING 3D has launched its newest flagship 3D scanner, the EinScan Rigil — touted as the world’s first 3D scanner featuring Tri-Mode operation... read more »

News
SHINING 3D Unveils EinScan Rigil with Tri-Mode Scanning for Pro-Level Flexibility

ETH Zurich 3D Prints Recycled Plastic Structure for Swiss Ice Cream Shop

ETH Zurich students have completed a 3D-printed ice cream shop in the Swiss Alpine village of Mulegns. The project, called Gelateria, was designed... read more »

Construction
ETH Zurich 3D Prints Recycled Plastic Structure for Swiss Ice Cream Shop

Social

  • Facebook Facebook 3D Printing
  • Linkedin Linkedin 3D Printing
Join our newsletter

Our newsletter is free & you can unsubscribe any time.

Featured Industries

  • Automotive
  • Aerospace
  • Construction
  • Dental
  • Environmental
  • Electronics
  • Fashion
  • Medical
  • Military
  • Snapmaker Artisan Premium 3-in-1

    • - Print size: 400 x 400 x 400 mm
    • - comes with enclosure
    More details »
    $2,999.00 Snapmaker
    Buy Now
  • QIDI Plus4

    • - Print size: 305 x 305 x 280 mm
    • - print temperature of 370°C
    More details »
    $799.00 QIDI Store
    Buy Now
  • QIDI Tech Q1 Pro

    • - Print size: 245 x 245 x 245 mm
    • - 600mm/s max speed
    More details »
    $449.00 QIDI Store
    Buy Now
  • QIDI Tech X-Max 3

    • - Print size: 325 x 325 x 315 mm
    • - fully enclosed
    More details »
    $799.00 QIDI Store
    Buy Now

Company Information

  • What is 3D Printing?
  • Contact us
  • Join our mailing list
  • Advertise with us
  • Media Kit
  • Nederland 3D Printing

Blog

  • Latest News
  • Use Cases
  • Reviews
  • 3D Printers
  • 3D Printing Metal

Featured Reviews

  • Anycubic Photon Mono M5s
  • Creality Ender 5 S1
  • The Mole 3D Scanner
  • Flashforge Creator 3 Pro

Featured Industries

  • Automotive
  • Aerospace
  • Construction
  • Dental
  • Environmental
  • Electronics
  • Medical
  • Military
  • Fashion
  • Art
2025 — Strikwerda en Dehue
  • Home
  • Join our mailing list
  • Contact us
Blog
  • Latest News
  • Use Cases
  • Reviews
  • 3D Printers
  • 3D Printing Metal
Featured Industries
  • Automotive
  • Aerospace
  • Construction
  • Dental
  • Environmental
  • Electronics
  • Medical
  • Military
  • Fashion
  • Art
Company Information
  • What is 3D Printing?
  • Contact us
  • Join our mailing list
  • Advertise with us
  • Media Kit
  • Nederland 3D Printing