A 3D printing technique that uses ink made from genetically programmed living cells has been developed. The cells are engineered to light up in response to a variety of stimuli. When mixed with hydrogel and nutrients, the cells can be printed to form three-dimensional, interactive structures and devices.
The research team from MIT demonstrated its technique by printing a "living tattoo"—a thin, transparent patch patterned with live bacteria cells in the shape of a tree. Each branch of the tree is lined with cells sensitive to a different chemical or molecular compound. When the patch is adhered to skin that has been exposed to the same compounds, corresponding regions of the tree light up in response.
Further details on the research, led by Xuanhe Zhao, the Noyce Career Development Professor in MIT's department of mechanical engineering, and Timothy Lu, associate professor of biological engineering and of electrical engineering and computer science, were published yesterday in Advanced Materials.
In addition, the team developed a model to predict the interactions between cells within a given 3D-printed structure, under a variety of conditions. The team says researchers can use the model as a guide in designing responsive living materials.
Applications include wearable living computational platforms as well as customized sensors, in the form of flexible patches and stickers, which could be engineered to detect a variety of chemical and molecular compounds. The team also believes their technique could be used to manufacture drug capsules and surgical implants, containing cells engineered to produce compounds such as glucose, to be released therapeutically over time.
Image: MIT engineers have devised a 3D printing technique that uses a new kind of ink made from genetically programmed living cells. Image courtesy of the researchers.