BITS Pilani Goa researchers develop hydrogel for skin tissue and 3D-printed tablets

Birla Institute of Technology and Science (BITS) Pilani, K.K. Birla Goa Campus researchers have developed a polymer-based hydrogel that can be used as a bioink for extrusion-based three-dimension (3D) printing. The study, published in the Journal of Biological Engineering, was highlighted in a recent press release by BITS Pilani.

The polymer-based hydrogel material developed by BITS Pilani researchers can have applications in skin tissue engineering and drug delivery. The researchers created a printable material while addressing common challenges linked to traditional bioinks, like high costs, material variations, safety concerns and regulatory requirements.

The head of the research team is Anasuya Ganguly, professor at the Department of Biological Sciences, BITS Pilani, along with researchers from the other departments of Biological Sciences and Chemical Engineering at BITS Pilani, KK Birla Goa campus.

Talking about the research, Anasuya Ganguly said, “This study demonstrates that pharmaceutical-grade polymers can be formulated into hydrogels with properties suitable for 3D bioprinting. The findings provide a promising foundation for exploring a single, versatile platform for applications ranging from skin tissue engineering to customised drug delivery.” 

New bioink for skin research

The BITS researchers have designed the hydrogel to have the properties needed for extrusion-based 3D printing. The material recorded 87 percent thixotropic recovery, which shows that it could retain the shape of structures that are created during printing.

The team also conducted a test on the hydrogel using L929 and HaCaT cells, which are relevant to skin tissue research. The material showed more than 70 percent cell survival in the tested models. The printed scaffolds even presented blood compatibility, with the study showing 5 percent haemolysis.

Asima Shaukat, assistant professor, Department of Chemical Engineering, BITS Pilani, said, “By using pharmaceutical polymers that are already established in drug formulation, this work explores how 3D bioprinting can be applied across tissue engineering and drug delivery. Our focus has been on combining material safety, printability and practical applications within a single platform.”

BITS Pilani research: Common pharmaceutical polymers use

The study also the use of pharmaceutical-grade polymers instead of relying mainly on specialised or animal-derived biomaterials. This will offer a controlled approach to developing materials for 3D bioprinting.

The press note about the further research mentioned that “While the findings are promising, the study represents a research-stage demonstration rather than a clinically approved treatment or commercially available 3D-printed medical product.”