Rapid Prototyping Method for 3D Printed Biomaterial Constructs with Vascular Structures.

This paper presents a fabrication method for rapid prototyping of 3D biomaterial constructs with vascular structures. The method relies on poloxamer fugitive ink, which is over casted with a custom-made alginate based model extracellular matrix (ECM). The presented method is simple to implement and compatible with standard cell culture workflows used in biomedical research and pharmaceutical development.

Preparation and optimization of calcium fluoride particles for dental applications.

Fluorides are used in dental care due to their beneficial effect in tooth enamel de-/remineralization cycles. To achieve a desired constant supply of soluble fluorides in the oral cavity, different approaches have been followed. Here we present results on the preparation of CaF2 particles and their characterization with respect to a potential application as enamel associated fluoride releasing reservoirs.

Nanomechanical cantilever sensors as a novel tool for real-time monitoring and characterization of surface layer formation.

Nanomechanical cantilevers are small and thin, microfabricated silicon beams. They serve as extremely sensitive mechanical sensors, which transform processes occurring at their surface into a mechanical response. This unique signal transduction principle allows to measure surface stress occurring at the cantilever surface by monitoring the bending of the cantilever (static mode) while at the same time observing changes in the oscillation properties of the cantilever related to changes in mass load on the cantilever (dynamic mode).

De novo formation of desmosomes in cultured cells upon transfection of genes encoding specific desmosomal components.

Desmosomes are cell junctions and cytoskeleton-anchoring structures of epithelia, the myocardium, and dendritic reticulum cells of lymphatic follicles whose major components are known. Using cultured HT-1080 SL-1 fibrosarcoma-derived cells and transfection of cDNAs encoding specific desmosomal components, we have determined a minimum ensemble of proteins sufficient to introduce de novo structures, which, by morphology and functional competence, are indistinguishable from authentic desmosomes. In a more refined analysis, the influence of the desmosomal proteins desmoplakin (Dp), plakoglobin (Pg), and plakophilin 2 (Pp2) on the lateral clustering of the desmosomal transmembrane-glycoprotein desmoglein 2 (Dsg) was examined.