3D Bioprinting Saved by Vitamins

By on October 31st, 2013 in research

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Researchers developing techniques to 3D print extremely small objects for medical purposes have had a problem. To fuse material at the nano scale, a “two photon” technique is used. The material becomes solid when exposed to the targeted photons. 
 
However, bio material is not typically fusible, so researchers often print a scaffold on which the bio material is deposited. The problem is that photo-curable scaffold material is often toxic, rendering medical use of the print impossible. 
 
Enter Riboflavin, also known popularly as Vitamin B2. It turns out that B2, when pre-mixed with specific chemicals, becomes photo-curable. The treated B2 is entirely non-toxic and now enables full use of 3D printing for medical purposes. 
 
This could also mean there’s a new way of delivering vitamins: direct insertion. 
 

By Kerry Stevenson

Kerry Stevenson, aka "General Fabb" has written over 8,000 stories on 3D printing at Fabbaloo since he launched the venture in 2007, with an intention to promote and grow the incredible technology of 3D printing across the world. So far, it seems to be working!