NIT Rourkela develops novel bio-ink for 3D bioprinting and tissue engineering

The innovation is particularly suited for bone and cartilage repair

Researchers at National Institute of Technology Rourkela have developed a novel bio-ink designed to advance applications in 3D bioprinting and tissue engineering, addressing longstanding challenges in balancing mechanical strength, biocompatibility, and printability.

The research team, led by Prof. Devendra Verma, along with research scholar Shreya Chrungoo and Dr. Tanmay Bharadwaj from the Department of Biotechnology and Medical Engineering, has developed a high shape-fidelity protein–polysaccharide composite bio-ink. The innovation is particularly suited for bone and cartilage repair.

The findings have been published in the International Journal of Biological Macromolecules, and the team has secured a patent titled “A High Shape-Fidelity Protein-Polysaccharide Composite Bioink for 3D Bioprinting” (Patent No. 583759; Application No. 202431019470).

To engineer the bio-ink, the researchers combined Bovine Serum Albumin, Sodium Alginate, and polyelectrolyte complexes of gelatin and chitosan (PEC-GC). This formulation created a bioactive system capable of supporting cell growth while maintaining structural integrity during and after the printing process.

“Our goal was to bridge the gap between printability and biological performance in bio-inks. By integrating protein–polysaccharide interactions with nanofibrous complexes, we have developed a system that prints with high precision and supports tissue regeneration,” said Prof. Verma.

Laboratory evaluations showed that the developed bio-ink closely mimics the extracellular matrix of bone tissue, enabling cell attachment, adhesion, and proliferation. The printed scaffolds demonstrated strong mechanical properties, maintaining shape and functionality post-printing.

Notably, scaffolds containing 2% PEC-GC achieved over 90% cell viability and exhibited potential for bone tissue formation and collagen synthesis.

“The bio-ink offers a versatile platform for fabricating patient-specific scaffolds with precise geometry and biological functionality,” said Chrungoo, highlighting its promise for applications in regenerative medicine.

The research team plans to advance the innovation through animal studies to validate safety and efficacy, followed by clinical trials.

With its ability to enable the fabrication of personalised, tissue-like structures, the developed bio-ink could play a significant role in the future of regenerative therapies and precision healthcare.