3D-Printable and Cytocompatible Hydrogel from Acinetobacter baylyi ADP1 Extracellular Matrix

Tissue engineering has made substantial progress, yet the use of complex hydrogels inspired by natural extracellular matrices (ECMs) still requires more exploration. Many existing hydrogels are made from single-component formulations, which can restrict their biochemical and mechanical capabilities. Creating synthetic multicomponent hydrogels poses a challenge as it necessitates the precise incorporation of various functional groups within one material.

Researchers have now introduced a biologically driven approach by utilizing Acinetobacter baylyi ADP1, a bacterium that produces extracellular polymeric substances (EPS) consisting of a multicomponent matrix of polysaccharides and proteins. By cultivating the bacteria for three days and employing a straightforward extraction process, a hydrogel was produced that can be coated with methacrylate and crosslinked using red or blue light.

This innovative hydrogel exhibits several desirable properties: it is porous, biocompatible with human cells, suitable for 3D bioprinting, can be injected directly into the body, and can rapidly gel for in situ crosslinking. The study demonstrates the potential of employing bacterial-derived multicomponent hydrogels in biofabrication, opening up new possibilities for advanced tissue engineering applications.