Bio-Printing: Optimization of Biosafety and Mechanics

Engineering scaffolds for the regeneration of complex tissue interfaces remains a major challenge in tissue engineering. In particular, the bone–soft tissue interface requires materials that combine spatially resolved mechanical properties with high biocompatibility and processability. The overall goal of this project is therefore to develop a gradient scaffold for bone–soft tissue interface engineering that can be fabricated directly in vivo, either by microfluidic processing or by 3D printing.

To achieve this, the project addresses two key challenges. First, scaffold fabrication commonly relies on UV-induced curing, which can compromise biocompatibility. In this work, a more biosafe alternative will be established by using near-infrared (NIR) light together with upconversion nanoparticles (UCNPs), enabling crosslinking under milder and potentially more tissue-compatible conditions. Second, the mechanical properties of the scaffold must be carefully tuned to match the requirements of interfacial tissues. For this purpose, a strategy will be developed that combines physical and chemical crosslinking in order to tailor stiffness while maintaining favorable biological properties.

By integrating these two aspects, the project aims to provide a platform for the fabrication of graded biomaterials with improved biosafety and adjustable mechanical performance for advanced tissue engineering applications.