Studies into fibrous protein aggregate interference may lead to improved 3D bioprinting

A team of researchers at Pennsylvania State University (PA, USA) report on the interference of fibrous protein aggregates at the surface of water for successful bioprinting. They study also reports on a potential solution by adding a surfactant to prevent the formation of the protein layer. Natural biopolymers in 3D bioprinting are often preceded by aqueous buffer solutions using collagen, fibrinogen and thrombin proteins. Different proteins vary in quality and studying the rheological response of each protein solution in bulk and at the solution/air interface is essential to understanding how these proteins adsorb and aggregate. This in turn is essential...