Development of a Low-Cost Extrusion based Bioprinter and Biosensing Platform for Preclinical Drug Testing
Description
As the demand for accurate preclinical models grows, bioprinting has potential in the creation of tissue models, yet its integration into drug development remains limited. Clinical trials represent the primary bottleneck in drug development, with long wait times and high costs slowing innovation. The study aimed to develop a low-cost, extrusion-based bioprinter and biosensing system capable of producing and analyzing in vitro tissues that can provide preliminary feedback on pharmaceutical effects before clinical trials. A bioprinter was constructed into a temperature-controlled system equipped with a specialized toolhead for hydrogel extrusion. A Chlorella-based sodium alginate bioink served as a model to optimize printing parameters, crosslinking conditions, and cell viability. Embedded electrical leads within the printed structure allowed for electrical stimulation of contraction, and a custom printed circuit board (PCB)-based microcontroller and sensor system was developed to measure tissue movements through hall effect sensors. Dimensional accuracy and cell survival were quantitatively evaluated and refined through iterative testing. The resulting platform establishes foundational methods for producing consistent, functional bioprinted tissues and accurately detecting their mechanical responses. This work provides the groundwork for future research with the goal of enabling rapid, low-cost preclinical testing to accelerate the development of safe and effective drugs.