Thesis

3D biofabrication of gelatin based small vascular tissues

Downloadable Content

Download PDF
Creator
Rights statement
Awarding institution
  • University of Strathclyde
Date of award
  • 2025
Thesis identifier
  • T17396
Person Identifier (Local)
  • 201864337
Qualification Level
Qualification Name
Department, School or Faculty
Abstract
  • The development of vascular structures is critical for advancing tissue engineering, particularly in addressing the challenges of small-diameter blood vessel (SDBV) fabrication due to the limitations in current materials and techniques. Gelatin, prized for its biocompatibility, and poly(ethylene glycol) diacrylate (PEGDA), valued for tunable crosslinking, have each been explored independently. However, the crosslinking for their combination and the fabrication methods have not been fully optimised for SDBV applications. This research introduces a novel gelatin-based biomaterial hybridised with poly(ethylene glycol) diacrylate (PEGDA) to fabricate small vascular structures that overcome current material and processing limitations. A novel freeze-drying technique enhanced mechanical properties and suitability for vascular tissue applications. The research explores the mechanical properties of gelatin/PEGDA hydrogels raising the dry-state Young’s modulus of gelatin/PEGDA scaffolds to 100 MPa while porosity. Through a fast and easy method, rotational printing, this study demonstrates the feasibility of fabricating small vascular structures. The uniform tubes, measuring 0.7–2 mm in diameter with wall thicknesses of 200 μm, allow for leak-free perfusion under overpressures of 1000 mmHg. Besides, a microvasculture was attached with the small tubular structure, forming a multi-scale vascular structure. Additionally, the integration of the DNA hydrogel with 3D bioprinting technology enables the precise fabrication of complex vascular networks, breaking the limitation of the smallest vascular structure as small as 70 μm and forming confluent endothelial. This project contributes a versatile approach to small vascular tissue engineering by addressing material limitations and expanding the range of biomaterials and fabrication techniques that enable enhanced mechanical properties, biocompatibility, and functional integration with native tissues.
Advisor / supervisor
  • Shu Wenmiao
Resource Type
DOI

Relations

Items

Thumbnail Title Date Uploaded Visibility Actions
file details PDF of thesis T17396 2025-06-17 Public Download