A team of researchers from Cardiff University has created a groundbreaking 3D bioprinter constructed entirely from LEGO bricks. This innovative device, designed by Dr. Christopher Thomas, Dr. Oliver Castell, and Dr. Sion Coulman from the university’s School of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences, offers a low-cost and accessible solution for creating scalable and reproducible tissue models. Capable of printing biological materials like skin cells, this bioprinter aims to democratize access to cutting-edge 3D bioprinting technology.
Open-Sourced Approach
Unlike most research teams, which tend to safeguard their intellectual property, the Cardiff researchers have opted for an open-source approach. They have shared the exact methodology, including the specific LEGO components used, to enable other laboratories to replicate and enhance the bioprinter. “We set out to create a bioprinter that anyone can build, with minimal funds, and that’s exactly what we have achieved,” said Dr. Coulman. “Our paper details every element of the build and its capability, so it can be easily replicated anywhere in the world.”
The Problem
3D bioprinting holds great promise for producing human tissue samples, which are critical for advancing biomedical research and developing treatments for various medical conditions. However, commercial bioprinters are often prohibitively expensive, limiting their usability in many labs. Cardiff University’s LEGO bioprinter offers an affordable, technically advanced alternative that can significantly broaden access to this vital technology.
Engineering and The Science Behind 3D Bioprinting
The team has already demonstrated the bioprinter’s capability by printing hydrogel droplets containing skin cells. They are now working on recreating the three-dimensional architecture of human skin. Dr. Thomas expressed pride in the team’s open-source initiative, stating, “At a time when research collaboration is critical, and when research funding is limited, we are proud to share an accessible and affordable alternative to equipment that is out of reach for many researchers.”
Despite being constructed from LEGO, the bioprinter is highly engineered and achieves the precision necessary to produce delicate biological materials without compromising performance. Dr. Castell emphasized the robustness of the design, noting, “We’ve demonstrated that this bioprinter, though inexpensive and simple in construction, performs at a high level of precision.”
While the research is still in its early stages, the team hopes the LEGO 3D bioprinter will help advance the understanding of diseases, contribute to tissue engineering, and support personalized medicine by enabling the printing of cultured patient cells. Their current focus is on developing skin models that could be used to test treatments for skin diseases and cancers, or to create skin grafts for patients.
Cost-Effective Fluid Delivery Options
Fluid delivery for the 3D bioprinter can be achieved using either commercially available syringe drivers or LEGO syringe drivers, as outlined in previous research. The total cost of the bioprinter varies significantly based on the chosen fluid delivery method, costing approximately £350 with LEGO syringe pumps and £1500 with commercial syringe drivers. This cost-effective design makes the platform highly accessible for most research laboratories. The precision of LEGO bricks, manufactured to a tolerance of 0.002 mm, ensures consistency and repeatability in the construction of the bioprinter.
(The Lego printer was constructed for only approximately $624 USD!)
Advanced Printing Capabilities and Programmable Controls
The bioprinter is capable of printing with multiple bio-inks through the use of either parallel fluidic nozzles or sequential fluidic inlets. Printing is conducted directly into cell culture petri dishes, allowing for complex tissue model creation. The structure of the bioprinter includes a LEGO Mindstorms and Technic LEGO frame, with an x/y stage informed by previously reported designs for polymer filament writing. The system is powered by the LEGO Mindstorms EV3 Intelligent Brick, which is programmable via LabView or a simplified version of LabView software. Printing programs can be run from the control brick, a connected PC, or even a smartphone or tablet via Bluetooth.
Precision and Accuracy in Bioprinting
The printer's movement is controlled by servo motors that regulate the x/y stage and the z-height of the nozzle. The EV3 Large Servo Motor enables precise movements, translating to approximately 4.15 µm per degree of rotation. Positional accuracy has shown high reproducibility, with a standard deviation of +/- 30.6 µm. Microfluidic delivery of cells is accomplished through droplet microfluidics, allowing for the sequential deposition of cell-laden alginate droplets. By layering these droplets, the bioprinter can create complex three-dimensional structures containing live cells within a hydrogel scaffold.
Future Development
Dr. Castell also noted the potential for future development, explaining, “As with all 3D bioprinting, further studies are needed to enhance the cell compatibility and viability of bio-inks. By making our printer readily available, we hope researchers will adopt this technology, share their expertise, and develop the model with additional LEGO components to benefit the broader biomedical research community.”
Matthew Patey OBE, CEO of the British Skin Foundation, which funded the research, expressed enthusiasm for the project’s success. “We are delighted to see that our funding has facilitated such novel research. We look forward to seeing how this work will contribute to the future of biomedical research.”
As this innovative 3D bioprinter continues to evolve, it has the potential to revolutionize tissue engineering, regenerative medicine, and disease research by offering an affordable and accessible tool for researchers worldwide. The LEGO bioprinter offers an accessible, customizable kit that can be easily assembled with minimal engineering experience.
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Conclusion
Access the full research paper Development and Evaluation of a Low-Cost LEGO® 3D Bioprinter: From Building-Blocks to Building Blocks of Life published today in the journal Advanced Materials Technology.
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