THE POWER OF CAD/CAM LASER BIOPRINTING AT THE SINGLE-CELL LEVEL: EVOLUTION OF PRINTING - 3D Bioprinting and Nanotechnology in Tissue Engineering and Regenerative Medicine - page 77

CHAPTER

4

THE POWER OF CAD/CAM
LASER BIOPRINTING AT
THE SINGLE-CELL LEVEL:
EVOLUTION OF PRINTING

S.C. Sklare 1 , Theresa B. Phamduy 2 , J. Lowry Curly 2 , Yong Huang 3 and Douglas B. Chrisey 1
1 Department of Physics and Engineering Physics, Tulane University, New Orleans, LA, USA
2 Department of Biomedical Engineering, Tulane University, New Orleans, LA, USA
3 Department of Mechanical & Aerospace Engineering, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL, USA

4.1 INTRODUCTION
Single-cell deposition onto homogeneous two-dimensional (2D) and into three-dimensional (3D) envi-
ronments with high accuracy and reproducibility is currently entering a new stage of maturity by way
of systems engineering, based on a critical mass of technological developments. Coupling computer-
aided design (CAD) and manufacturing (CAM) principles with the benefits of laser systems enables
researchers to create reproducible or iteratively varying biological constructs with single-cell precision.
This chapter illustrates the importance of single-cell deposition and introduces laser-assisted bioprint-
ing as a viable method of printing individual cells. Specifically, the following topics will be discussed:
advantages of laser-assisted bioprinting systems; examples of laser systems adapted for cell printing;
the technology and basic physics behind these systems; mechanistic modeling of laser-assisted cell
transfer; and several case studies illustrating the importance of printing on an individual cell basis. In
particular, we showcase matrix-assisted pulsed-laser evaporation direct write (MAPLE-DW) as the pre-
mier laser-assisted, nozzle-free, and contactless printing method. We focus on recent enhancements in
MAPLE-DW: potential scalability; single-cell deposition; ease-of-use; and environmental controls
(e.g. temperature and humidity control).

4.1.1 DIRECT-CONTACT VS. DIRECT WRITE FOR SINGLE-CELL PRINTING
Laser-assisted bioprinting possesses inherent advantages for single-cell applications, but it is not
the only method to demonstrate single-cell resolution deposition. Four of the principal categories of
bioprinting methods, (1) micropatterning, (2) ink-jet printing, (3) nanocontact bioprinting, and (4)