2026 Undergraduate Research Showcase

Designing Bioinks: An Iterative Approach to Printability and Fidelity

Document Type

Student Presentation

Presentation Date

4-24-2026

Faculty Sponsor

Dr. David Estrada and Miranda L. Nelson

Abstract

Bioinks are an engineered material used for printing live cells from repairing scarred or damaged tissue for volumetric muscle loss to printing a skin graft using a patient’s cells. Commercially available bioink formulas are often proprietary, this limits systematic optimization of printability and structure fidelity. This work develops a reproducible method for bioink optimization by investigating the roles of nanofibrillated cellulose (NFC) and sodium alginate in controlling extrusion behavior and structural stability. Five bioink formulations were prepared with a varying composition of sodium alginate and evaluated using a characterization scaffold that integrates filament fusion and lateral pore formation tests within defined geometries. This approach enables simultaneous assessment of printability and fidelity through filament interaction and pore structure. Results reveal tradeoffs between extrusion consistency and structural definition, with NFC providing a mechanical network for shape retention, while alginate modulates rheological behavior and enhances inter-filament adhesion. These findings demonstrate that through controlled composition and standardized testing we can predict bioink performance. The developed framework establishes a foundation for reproducible bioink design, enabling more efficient optimization and improved scalability in bioprinting research.

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