PEG & 3D Bioprinting Solutions

Three-dimensional (3D) bioprinting is an additive manufacturing process in which combinations of biological materials and living cells (known as bioinks) are deposited layer-by-layer to form biologically active 3D tissue structures. The goal of 3D bioprinting is to restore the normal structure and function of complex tissues by depositing materials and cells in specific ways that somehow mimic natural cellular structures. In 3D bioprinting, cells or biomolecules are printed directly onto a substrate in a specific pattern so that the cells can bind together to form the desired 3D structure. Presently, commonly used polymers in 3D printing technology include alginate hydrogel, collagen hydrogel, chitosan hydrogel, hyaluronic acid hydrogel, gelatin hydrogel and polyethylene glycol (PEG) hydrogels. Among them, PEG is one of the most commonly used synthetic materials for 3D bioprinting, and its mechanical properties are superior to those of natural hydrogels. BOC Sciences is committed to providing high-quality PEG derivatives for 3D bioprinting, as well as related PEGylation and conjugation services. We can meet your PEG and PEGylation needs from laboratory scale to commercial scale for biopharmaceutical, medical diagnostics and vaccine development.

Application of PEG in 3D Printing

PEG and its derivatives are one of the most widely studied hydrogels in tissue engineering scaffolds for cell research and drug delivery. PEG is a hydrophilic, biocompatible and non-immunogenic polymer. Due to the inherent molecular structure of PEG, the two hydroxyl end groups around the diol can be transformed into other functional groups such as carboxyl, methoxy, thiol, amine, vinylsulfane, azido, acetylene, and acrylate. Based on the tailorability of PEG materials, researchers often utilize PEG to develop tunable bioinks with a wide range of mechanical and rheological properties. Photopolymerization is the most common strategy for fabricating PEG hydrogels, which allows more spatial and temporal control over the fabrication of in situ scaffolds. PEG diacrylate (PEGDMA), PEG dimethacrylate (PEGDMA) and multiarm PEG acrylate (n-PEG-Acr) are the main types of PEG macromers used in photopolymerization to generate PEG hydrogels, which will not biodegrade naturally. Therefore, the addition of degradable segments, including poly(trimethylene fumarate) (PPF), polyesters, acetals, and disulfides, can enhance the degradation rate of PEG-based hydrogels.

Fig. 1. Crosslinking of hydrogels, (a)-(d) Physical crosslinking: (a) Thermal condensation, (b) Molecular self-assembly, (c) Ionic gelation, (d) Electrostatic interaction; and (e) Chemical crosslinking.

Our PEG CDMO Capabilities

BOC Sciences provides CDMO services for PEG and lipid manufacturing up to the Megaton (Mt) scale. Our ISO 9001 and ISO 13485 certified facilities strictly follow the ICH Q7A guidelines, enabling the delivery of GMP-grade PEG and lipid derivatives for applications within pharmaceuticals and pioneering technologies. In addition to advanced analytical instruments that support quality control and assurance, we also employ HPLC utilizing various detectors (CAD, UV, ELSD) for purity determination, NMR for structural confirmation, GFC/GPC for size-based analysis, MALDI Spectrometry for mass analysis, etc.

Our PEG Solutions for 3D Bioprinting

The experienced chemists of BOC Sciences can quickly realize the preparation and cross-linking of multifunctional PEG derivatives by using advanced modification technology. We are committed to providing PEG hydrogel support services with good mechanical stability to support customers' applications in the field of 3D bioprinting.

• PEG solutions for 3D bioprinting of skin tissue
• PEG solutions for 3D bioprinting of cardiac tissue
• PEG solutions for 3D bioprinting of cartilage tissue
• PEG solutions for 3D bioprinting of bone tissue

What Can We Offer for Your PEG Projects?

• One-stop development solutions
• Responsive project management
• Professional and skilled research team
• Rich experience in pegylation technology
• Well-equipped comprehensive analytical support
• Pilot and commercial scale production

Our PEG Solution Service Workflow

BOC Sciences is providing the most complete PEG and PEGylation solutions for the pharmaceutical industry and medical devices. We work with companies and academic groups around the world, including most of the top biopharmaceutical companies. We are equipped with cGMP grade laboratory facilities and systems to support the development and manufacture of the most comprehensive range of PEG derivatives. If you are interested in our PEG 3D bioprinting solutions, contact us to learn more.

Reference

1. Jmu, A. et al. Hydrogel-based 3D bioprinting: A comprehensive review on cell-laden hydrogels, bioink formulations, and future perspectives. Applied Materials Today. 2020, 18: 100479.