An explorative study of polymers for 3D printing of bioanalytical test systems

Article type: Research Article

Authors: Jurischka, Christoph^a | Dinter, Franziska^a | Efimova, Anastasia^b | Weiss, Romano^a | Schiebel, Juliane^{a; c} | Schulz, Christian^d | Fayziev, Bekzodjon^e | Schierack, Peter^a | Fischer, Thomas^{f; g} | Rödiger, Stefan^{a; g; h; *}

Affiliations: [a] Chair of Multiparametric Diagnostics, BTU Cottbus - Senftenberg, Senftenberg, Germany | [b] Chair of Inorganic Chemistry, BTU Cottbus - Senftenberg, Senftenberg, Germany | [c] Institute for Biochemistry and Biology, University of Potsdam, Potsdam, Germany | [d] Project Group Pz-Syn, Fraunhofer Institute for Cell Therapy and Immunology, Branch Bioanalytics and Bioprocesses IZI-BB, Potsdam, Germany Located at the BTU Cottbus - Senftenberg, Senftenberg, Germany | [e] Chair of Mathematical Modeling, Samarkand State University, Samarkand, Uzbekistan | [f] Zentrales Analytisches Labor, BTU Cottbus - Senftenberg, Cottbus, Germany | [g] Study Program Forensic Sciences and Engineering, BTU Cottbus - Senftenberg, Cottbus, Germany | [h] Faculty of Health Sciences, Joint Faculty of the Brandenburg University of Technology Cottbus - Senftenberg, the Brandenburg Medical School Theodor Fontane and the University of Potsdam, Senftenberg, Germany

Correspondence: [*] Corresponding author: Stefan Rödiger, BTU Cottbus - Senftenberg, Chair of Multiparametric Diagnostics, Universitätsplatz 1, 01968, Senftenberg, Germany. Tel.: +49 3573 85 936; Fax: +49 3573 85 809; E-mail: stefan.roediger@b-tu.de.

Abstract: BACKGROUND:The 3D printing is relevant as a manufacturing technology of functional models for forensic, pharmaceutical and bioanalytical applications such as drug delivery systems, sample preparation and point-of-care tests. OBJECTIVE:Melting behavior and autofluorescence of materials are decisive for optimal printing and applicability of the product which are influenced by varying unknown additives. METHODS:We have produced devices for bioanalytical applications from commercially available thermoplastic polymers using a melt-layer process. We characterized them by differential scanning calorimetry, fluorescence spectroscopy and functional assays (DNA capture assay, model for cell adhesion, bacterial adhesion and biofilm formation test). RESULTS:From 14 tested colored, transparent and black materials we found only deep black acrylonitrile-butadiene-styrene (ABS) and some black polylactic acid (PLA) useable for fluorescence-based assays, with low autofluorescence only in the short-wave range of 300–400 nm. PLA was suitable for standard bioanalytical purposes due to a glass transition temperature of approximately 60°C, resistance to common laboratory chemicals and easy print processing. For temperature-critical methods, such as hybridization reactions up to 90°C, ABS was better suited. CONCLUSIONS:Autofluorescence was not a disadvantage per se but can also be used as a reference signal in assays. The rapid development of individual protocols for sample processing and analysis required the availability of a material with consistent quality over time. For fluorescence-based assays, the use of commercial standard materials did not seem to meet this requirement.

Keywords: 3D printing, cell adhesion, autofluorescence, polylactic acid, PLA, polyethylene terephthalate glycol, PETG, acrylonitrile-butadiene-styrene, ABS, thermoplastic polyurethane elastomers, TPU, medicine, pharmaceutical

DOI: 10.3233/CH-190713

Journal: Clinical Hemorheology and Microcirculation, vol. 75, no. 1, pp. 57-84, 2020