Coaxial Core-Shell Nozzle for 3D Bioprinting of Fibrotic Tumor Microenvironments

Authors: Eleanor Hamby, Daniel Reynolds

Field of Study: Biomedical Engineering

Program Affiliation: Biofabrication and Cancer Engineering Laboratory

Faculty Mentors: Daniel Reynolds

Easel: 48

Timeslot: Morning

Abstract: Traditional extrusion-based bioprinting is often limited by use of single materials which fail to capture the complexity of human tissue, particularly the tumor microenvironment. In vivo, tumors frequently develop an outer layer of fibrotic tissue that shields them from the host’s immune defenses. To replicate this structure, this project utilizes SolidWorks to design a custom core-shell nozzle for simultaneous coaxial extrusion. The design is printed via high-resolution stereolithography using a Form 4B printer and V5 Black resin to achieve precise control of internal geometries required for fluid control. This nozzle will facilitate the printing of a cancer-cell bioink core encased within a collagen-based fibrotic shell. Initial validation involves testing with multi-colored Pluronic F-127 as a rheological surrogate at varying viscosities to ensure distinct separation during the extrusion process. This work establishes a high-fidelity 3D bioprinting technique for future studies, providing a more physiologically-relevant model for studying cancer and tumor progression.