Rourkela: National Institute Of Technology Patents Advanced Bio-Ink For 3d Printing Of Tissue-Like Structures
Laboratory trials demonstrated that the bio-ink closely mimics the extracellular matrix of bone tissue, facilitating cell attachment, adhesion and proliferation: Reports
BHUBANESWAR: In a significant breakthrough for regenerative medicine, researchers at the National Institute of Technology Rourkela have developed and patented an advanced bio-ink that enables 3D printing of tissue-like structures, with promising applications in bone and cartilage repair.
Bio-inks—materials used in 3D bioprinting—have long faced limitations due to the challenge of balancing mechanical strength, biological compatibility and printability. Addressing this gap, a research team led by Prof. Devendra Verma, Associate Professor, along with research scholar Shreya Chrungoo and Dr. Tanmay Bharadwaj from the department of biotechnology and medical engineering, has developed a high shape-fidelity protein–polysaccharide composite bio-ink.
The findings have been published in the International Journal of Biological Macromolecules, and the team has secured a patent titled “A High Shape-Fidelity Protein-Polysaccharide Composite Bioink for 3D Bioprinting.”
The innovation combines bovine serum albumin (BSA), sodium alginate, and polyelectrolyte complexes of gelatin and chitosan (PEC-GC), creating a bioactive system that supports cell growth while maintaining structural stability during and after printing.
“Our goal was to bridge the long-standing gap between printability and biological performance in bio-inks,” said Prof. Verma. “By integrating protein–polysaccharide interactions with nanofibrous complexes, we have developed a system that not only prints with high precision but also actively supports cellular functions and tissue regeneration.”
Laboratory trials demonstrated that the bio-ink closely mimics the extracellular matrix of bone tissue, facilitating cell attachment, adhesion and proliferation. The printed scaffolds also exhibited strong mechanical properties, ensuring shape retention and functionality post-printing.
Notably, scaffolds containing 2 per cent PEC-GC showed over 90 per cent cell viability, along with potential for bone tissue formation and collagen synthesis.
Highlighting its practical applications, Shreya Chrungoo said the bio-ink offers a versatile platform for fabricating patient-specific scaffolds with precise geometry and biological functionality. “Its ability to support high cell viability and tissue-like behaviour makes it promising for applications in regenerative medicine,” she noted.
The research team now plans to move to animal studies to further evaluate safety and efficacy, followed by clinical trials for validation.
According to experts, the development is expected to open new avenues in personalised healthcare, particularly in tissue engineering and therapeutic interventions, marking a step forward in the use of 3D bioprinting technologies in clinical settings.