3D Biomicrofabrication System

• Subject Area: Materials Science
• Term: Funded in 2024
• Project identifier: Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft (DFG) - Project number 548987737

Here, a 3D bio-microfabrication system is requested for the high precision 3D printing of novel biomaterials for applications in the field of biology and medicine. This system consists of a laser printing device specially designed for the 3D manufacturing of biomaterials based on two-photon polymerization. The requested system - in the context of Prof. Dr. Blasco's appointment to a W3 professorship - should guarantee the continuation of the research activities within the working group and extend the possibilities of the NanoFab Center within the newly created Institute for Molecular Systems Engineering and Advanced Materials (IMSEAM) at Heidelberg University. It will strengthen current research priorities at Heidelberg University combining 3D printable biomaterials with living systems to allow new possibilities in microfluidics, cell biology and metamaterials among others. To this aim, a 3D bio-microfabrication system is applied for enabling three-dimensional fabrication of functional biomaterials at high precision. This system must be specially equipped for the processing of such materials and must have precise control options for parameters such as temperature and humidity - essential for biomaterial production - whose control is of absolute necessity to achieve reliable and reproducible results. Furthermore, 3D microstructures with high resolution should be accessible, allowing direct synergy with biological systems. For this purpose, the system should enable 3D bio-microfabrication under sterile conditions. In order to enable high throughput rates in the shortest possible time as well as the operation of the system by many users, high printing speeds must also be ensured. Importantly, the system must offer a high degree of flexibility in terms of openness towards different kinds of materials, to be able to successfully process a large diversity of biomaterials, as described in the planned research projects. This 3D bio-microfabrication system will be installed in the NanoFab Center as a multi-user device and will be made available to various working groups, thus strengthening Heidelberg University's focus in the field of 3D bioprinting and its applications.

• DFG Programme: Major Research Instrumentation
• Major Instrumentation: 3D Bio-Mikrofabrikationssystem
• Instrumentation Group: 0910 Geräte für Ionenimplantation und Halbleiterdotierung
• Applicant Institution: Ruprecht-Karls-Universität Heidelberg
• Leader: Professorin Eva Blasco, Ph.D.