University of Rochester team modifies cheap printer for living materials

Low-cost bioprinter replaces expensive machines

A team led by Professor Anne S. Meyer developed a solution that avoids the $100,000 cost of standard bioprinters. The modified device removes a plastic filament extruder and installs a syringe pump to squeeze out bio-ink. This setup allows for printing crisp shapes with well-defined edges while preventing oozing at printed structure boundaries. The lab constructed this customized machine entirely using inexpensive parts that are easily available for other scientists.

New slurry supports tall living prints

The upgraded printer creates living materials with more than 100 layers, surpassing previous limits of less than 20. Researchers developed a support gel called a slurry to hold up bio-ink and help it solidify quickly at any height. Two types of slurry exist: one for easy removal and another for incubation keeping microbes alive for four or more weeks. Previously printed bacteria died after about nine days, but the new method extends survival significantly.

Engineered biofilms gain new capabilities

The new incubation methods allow creation of engineered biofilm materials with stronger mechanical properties or specific medical characteristics. These structures enable embedded bacteria to receive nutrients efficiently and excrete useful products rapidly into their surroundings. Instructions for building the printer are available on the GitHub platform for independent labs worldwide. The technology supports research into three-dimensional communities of microorganisms that adhere to various surfaces.