Thomas Van Gansbeke’s research while affiliated with Rousselot and other places

Xenogeneic tumour origin and batch-to-batch variability of Engelbreth-Holm-Swarm sarcoma tumour cell-derived hydrogels (Matrigel, Cultrex) limit the biomedical application of organoids in tissue engineering. The gelatin-methacryloyl (GelMA) hydrogels represent a defined, tunable, and GMP-friendly alternative, but they are rarely studied as alternative to Matrigel. Here, we studied effects of mechanical properties of GelMA and addition of laminin-111 on encapsulation and growth of small intestinal organoids. GelMA-embedded organoids displayed polarity reversion, resulting in apical-out and apical-basal phenotypes, independent from the matrix stiffness. Addition of laminin-111 softened hydrogels and also resulted in a partial restoration of the basal-out phenotype. Interestingly, despite the incomplete polarity restoration, GelMA-organoids still showed minor growth. GelMA stiffness and concentration influenced the transition from 3D to 2D organoid cultures. Collectively, our study confirms that tuning of GelMA mechanical properties alone cannot recapitulate the basal membrane matrix. However, controlled polarity reversion offers a tool for engineering organoids and enabling apical membrane access.

Volumetric Bioprinting (VBP), enables to rapidly build complex, cell‐laden hydrogel constructs for tissue engineering and regenerative medicine. Light‐based tomographic manufacturing enables spatial‐selective polymerization of a bioresin, resulting in higher throughput and resolution than what is achieved using traditional techniques. However, methods for multi‐material printing are needed for broad VBP adoption and applicability. Although converging VBP with extrusion bioprinting in support baths offers a novel, promising solution, further knowledge on the engineering of hydrogels as light‐responsive, volumetrically printable baths is needed. Therefore, this study investigates the tuning of gelatin macromers, in particular leveraging the effect of molecular weight and degree of modification, to overcome these challenges, creating a library of materials for VBP and Embedded extrusion Volumetric Printing (EmVP). Bioresins with tunable printability and mechanical properties are produced, and a novel subset of gelatins and GelMA exhibiting stable shear‐yielding behavior offers a new, single‐component, ready‐to‐use suspension medium for in‐bath printing, which is stable over multiple hours without needing temperature control. As a proof‐of‐concept biological application, bioprinted gels are tested with insulin‐producing pancreatic cell lines for 21 days of culture. Leveraging a multi‐color printer, complex multi‐material and multi‐cellular geometries are produced, enhancing the accessibility of volumetric printing for advanced tissue models.

Volumetric Bioprinting (VBP), enables to rapidly build complex, cell-laden hydrogel constructs for tissue engineering and regenerative medicine. Light-based tomographic manufacturing enables spatial-selective polymerization of a bioresin, resulting in higher throughput and resolution than what achieved using traditional techniques. However, methods for multi-material printing are needed for a broad VBP adoption and applicability. Although converging VBP with extrusion bioprinting in support baths offers a novel, promising solution, further knowledge on the engineering of hydrogels as light-responsive, volumetrically printable baths is needed. Therefore, this study investigates the tuning of gelatin macromers, in particular leveraging the effect of molecular weight and degree of modification, to overcome these challenges, creating a library of materials for VBP and Embedded extrusion Volumetric Printing (EmVP). Bioresins with tunable printability and mechanical properties are produced, and a novel subset of gelatins and GelMA exhibiting stable shear-yielding behavior offers a new, single-component, ready-to-use suspension medium for in-bath printing, which is stable over multiple hours without needing temperature control. As proof-of-concept biological application, bioprinted gels are tested with insulin-producing pancreatic cell lines for 21 days of culture. Leveraging a multi-color printer, complex multi-material and multi-cellular geometries are produced, enhancing the accessibility of volumetric printing for advanced tissue models.