The use of three-dimensional (3D) printing for structural fabrication of hydrogels has attracted great research interest in the biomedical field. In particular, the use of ‘bio-inks’ to create living tissue mimics or ‘bio-devices’ has been explored with a number of naturally derived polymer sources. Although functional, they suffer from batch to batch variation, generally need to be synthetically modified and possess poor tunability in terms of ‘built in’ physicochemical and mechanical properties. Herein we describe polypeptide hydrogels rationally designed as feedstock materials for 3D printing. Taking advantage of integrated light-responsive functionalities, chemical crosslinks can be introduced on-demand that modulate mechanical properties. Formed hydrogels can be readily deposited into stable geometric shapes using 3D printing and show potential as alternative bio-ink or bio-resin sources to create living 3D constructs.

Polypeptide based hydrogels as 3D printable matrices

ACS Spring 2022

The official archive and repository for all ACS Meetings & Expositions abstracts and select posters or presentations.