BITS Pilani scientists develop novel bioink for 3D-printed tissue scaffolds and customised tablets
Research Matters Staff Writer(s) Goa 21 Aug 2026 Researchers at the Birla Institute of Technology and Science (BITS) Pilani have pioneered a new 3D bioprinting method using standard pharmaceutical polymers to create both living tissue scaffolds and customised medication. This breakthrough offers an economic and accessible path to making regenerative medicine and personalised drug delivery. By…
Researchers at BITS Pilani have created a groundbreaking method for 3D printing living tissue scaffolds and customized pharmaceutical tablets using common pharmaceutical polymers. This innovation reduces the prohibitive costs and safety concerns that have hindered the widespread adoption of 3D printing in medical applications. The team harnessed materials like maize starch, maltodextrin, and sodium alginate, which are already approved by health regulators and are both cost-effective and animal-free.
Utilizing a technique called semisolid extrusion 3D bioprinting, similar to a glue gun's operation, they layered these polymers to produce intricate three-dimensional objects. The bioink's shear-thinning property enabled it to flow easily during printing but rapidly regained its solid form upon deposition, maintaining its structural integrity.
Subsequent ionic crosslinking with calcium chloride transformed the material into a hydrogel, providing a stable matrix suitable for various medical applications. The study produced two significant products: porous scaffolds for skin regeneration and chewable tablets for controlled drug delivery. The scaffolds featured microscopic pores that facilitate nutrient and oxygen supply to growing cells, essential for effective tissue repair.
In biological tests, these scaffolds demonstrated high cell viability and compatibility with human skin cells, indicating their safety for use in medical procedures. Additionally, the researchers successfully incorporated a diabetes medication into the bioink to create customized tablets that maintained precise dosage and showed a sustained-release effect, offering a tailored solution for patients with varying needs.
By leveraging affordable, FDA-approved materials, this breakthrough positions 3D printing as a viable tool for personalized medicine, potentially allowing hospitals to produce on-demand skin grafts and pharmacies to manufacture individualized medications.
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