3D‐Printed Biocompatible Scaffolds with Built‐In Nanoplasmonic Sensors

Abstract

3D printing strategies have acquired great relevance toward the design of 3D scaffolds with precise macroporous structures, for supported mammalian cell growth. Despite advances in 3D model designs, there is still a shortage of detection tools to precisely monitor in situ cell behavior in 3D, thereby allowing a better understanding of the progression of diseases or to test the efficacy of drugs in a more realistic microenvironment. Even if the number of available inks has exponentially increased, they do not necessarily offer the required functionalities to be used as internal sensors. Herein the potential of surface‐enhanced Raman scattering (SERS) spectroscopy for the detection of biorelevant analytes within a plasmonic hydrogel‐based, 3D‐printed scaffold is demonstrated. Such SERS‐active scaffolds allow for the 3D detection of model molecules, such as 4‐mercaptobenzoic acid. Flexibility in the choice of plasmonic nanoparticles is demonstrated through the use of gold nanoparticles with different morphologies, gold nanorods showing the best balance between SERS enhancement and scaffold transparency. Detection of the biomarker adenosine is also demonstrated as a proof‐of‐concept toward the use of these plasmonic scaffolds for SERS sensing of cell‐secreted molecules over extended periods of time.

Microstructured Surface Plasmon Resonance Sensor Based on Inkjet 3D Printing Using Photocurable Resins with Tailored Refractive Index

“…This approach allowed to tailor the SPR performances and to print graded structures, but it relied on the synthesis of tailor-made nanofillers and resins thus increasing the final costs. A similar approach was investigated to 3D print biocompatible scaffolds with built-in nano-plasmonic sensors by extruding photoactive inks filled with gold nanorods [ 13 ]. The use of 3D printing for micro-optofluidic devices has been developed using POFs [ 14 , 15 , 16 ] and this is an application field that, potentially, might benefit from the development of 3D alternative approaches that envisage the use of optical active materials.…”

Prospects of Surface-Enhanced Raman Spectroscopy for Biomarker Monitoring toward Precision Medicine

“… 141 The combination of robust nanoparticle stability and high accessibility renders polymer nanocomposites useful for in situ measurements, potentially fostering a new generation of SERS sensors. 142 …”

Trends in Tissue Bioprinting, Cell-Laden Bioink Formulation, and Cell Tracking

“…Copyright 2021 Elsevier), metallic nanoparticles such as gold nanorods for optical or heating properties (adapted from ref ( 12 ). Copyright 2017 John Wiley & Sons and ref ( 18 ). Copyright 2020 John Wiley & Sons), or clay-based fillers as mechanical reinforcements (laponite, montmorillonite, silica, etc.)…”