Bioinks - Printable Biological Tissue (3D Printing Europe 2015)

The future vision of implants comprises the generation of artificial tissue generated from the patient's own cells. Furthermore, sophisticated complex tissue models will help to perform adequate in vitro testing and avoid animal experiments. We develop printable and photo-crosslinkable material systems which are based on the bio-polymers from the natural extracellular matrix of soft tissue. Such bioinks are biomimetic matrices for 3D encapsulation of cells and cell printing and result in hydrogel compounds which can be tailored to mimic the biochemical and mechanical properties of native tissues.

Kirsten Borchers studied biology and physics, originally with the aim to become a teacher. Finally, interest in scientific research lead her to PhD studies in biofunctionalization of nanoparticles and printing particle based 3D protein microarrays. Since 2007 she is engaged in development of new (bio-) materials at the Fraunhofer Institute for Interfacial Engineering and Biotechnology IGB in Stuttgart. Her main focus lies on modifying bio-based materials such as biomolecules from the extracellular matrix of tissues in order to make them applicable for automated printing and dispensing processes. She is particularly dedicated to the development of bioinks for bioprinting, the fascinating field of research on reconstruction of biological tissue by use of additive manufacturing techniques.

The Fraunhofer Institute for Interfacial Engineering and Biotechnology IGB develops and optimizes processes and products in the fields of health, chemistry and process industry, as well as environment and energy. We combine the highest scientific standards with professional know-how in our competence areas - always with a view to economic efficiency and sustainability. The constructive interplay of the various disciplines at our institute opens up new approaches in areas such as medical engineering, nanotechnology, industrial biotechnology, and environmental technology. The Fraunhofer IGB is one of 67 institutes and independent research units of the Fraunhofer-Gesellschaft, Europe's leading organization for applied research.