GrowInks are animal free, biocompatible, ready-to-use hydrogels that can be mixed directly with cells for bioprinting applications. The two main components in GrowInks are nanofibrillar cellulose and water, providing you with a fully defined matrix. The matrix can be customised by the addition of molecules, such as growth factors or adhesion proteins, as needed by your specific cells.
GrowInk™ Bioinks for 3D printing
Patented by CELLINK and UPM-Kymmene Corporation.
Convenient and customisable
GrowInks mimic the in vivo environment supporting cell growth and differentiation. Over 150 different cell types have been cultured in nanofibrillar cellulose. They can easily be diluted to provide a wide range of stiffnesses that can be matched to the requirements of your cells. GrowInks are room temperature stable and can be used with or without a crosslinking agent depending on your application, but all enable cell printing layer-by-layer with high-precision cell positioning.
GrowInks are available in three different versions:
- GrowInk-N - natural opaque bioink made of pure nanofibrillar cellulose.
- GrowInk-T - transparent, anionic nanofibrillar cellulose bioink for advanced applications. GrowInk -T can be optionally cross-linked to harden the printed structures.
- GrowInk-ALG - nanofibrillar cellulose based bioink with alginate that can be cross-linked.
- GrowInks are particularly suited to extrusion bioprinting giving high printing accuracy.
- To minimize clogging risk, we recommend using nozzles 20 to 32-gauge diameter.
- Set the layer height to equal the inner nozzle diameter.
- We recommend starting bioprinting tests by using the following parameters: pressure 10–30 kPa and speed 10–20 mm/s.
- We recommend bioprinting with GrowInk at room temperature.
When using a cell-GrowInk mixture printing can be carried out at maximum 37°C. - We recommend printing a regular rectilinear pattern when first working with GrowInk.
Hexagonal patterns are more challenging and usually don't serve any special purpose adding to the complexity of the print. - When transferring Growink to alternative syringes our customers have preferred using a 10ml syringe over 3ml syringe.
- We recommend replacing the nozzle if bioprinting has been paused for over 10 minutes. GrowInk may have dried at the tip and clogged the nozzle.
- Ensure there are no bubbles introduced when transferring the GrowInk.
Bubbles will interfere with the printability. - Store GrowInk correctly and use within the expiration date.
The expiration date of the GrowInks can be found on the product label and is normally 6 or 12 months from manufacture depending on the product. GrowInks should be stored as specified on the product label, normally 4-22°C (39–72°F) and protected from light for optimum performance. Once opened it is recommended that the product is stored at 4-8°C (39-46°F) for a maximum of 3 months. Ensure the cartridges are capped prior to storage to prevent drying. - Do not store the product below 0°C (32°F).
Freezing will result in destabilization of the product rendering it unusable.