Hydroxyapatite Deposition for 3D Bioprinting of Vascular Bone
Abstract
This study investigates hydroxyapatite deposition within a bio-ink composed of fibrin, collagen, thrombin, calcium, and phosphate for the 3D bioprinting of vascularized bone tissue. A key objective was to examine the natural hydroxyapatite nucleation and growth on collagen fibers within the engineered tissue during the printing and maturation processes. The bio-ink’s rheological properties were optimized to ensure precise printability and structural stability. Hydroxyapatite formation under physiological conditions was successfully demonstrated, mimicking natural bone mineralization. The findings showcase the bio-ink’s potential as a scalable and personalized solution for bone regeneration, paving the way for future in vivo and clinical applications.