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Innovative Bioprinting Solutions at Carl ROTH

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We want to help shape 
the future of medicine …


And rely on highly innovative products that we would like to make more accessible to science and research through selected collaborations. Bioprinting technologies enable the production of a wide range of functional tissues and organ structures on nano, micro and meso scales. The key challenges are to ensure both maximum precision and a biocompatible environment. These critical factors depend on the printing technology and, in particular, the bioinks being used. The latter need to be optimally tailored to the respective technology and the specific requirements of the cells.

For this reason, we offer the entire bioink portfolio of BIO INX©, a leading provider of innovative and standardized bioinks, specially developed for various printing technologies and biological requirements.
 

The combination of precision and biological functionality makes bioprinting one of the most innovative technologies of our time.

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Bioinks by Printing Technology

Extrusion-based Bioprinting (FDM)

The Key Technology in Bioprinting


Layer-by-layer production of a three-dimensional structure through extrusion is one of the most well-known methods. It is a versatile and cost-effective technique capable of processing a wide range of bioinks, such as hydrogels or synthetic bioresins. However, compared to newer methods, the resolution is limited (~100–200 µm) and the precise implementation depends on many parameters.  


The bioinks of BIO INX© for extrusion-based bioprinting significantly simplify this method. These ready-to-use bioinks enable reliable printing with a variety of different 3D bioprinters. The portfolio includes both synthetic and gelatin-based bioinks with optimized mechanical properties, which not only facilitate the printing process but also enhance the precision, robustness, and flexibility of the printed objects. his makes the products suitable for a range of tissue engineering applications – from soft tissue (e.g. adipose tissue) to hard tissue (e.g. cartilage).

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Standard Gel-MA

  • Excellent biological performance
  • GMP-like
  • For cell encapsulation & cell seeding

Shear-thinning Gel-MA

  • Excellent biological performance
  • Excellent printing at 37 °C 
  • For cell encapsulation & cell seeding

Biodegradable polycaprolactone

  • Printing at <60 °C (CURASOL©)
  • Shape memory behaviour
  • Robust and flexible
 to the products

Volumetric Bioprinting (VBP)

Precise 3D Structures within Seconds


Volumetric bioprinting is an innovative tomographic printing technology that uses laser light to create a complete 3D structure within a hydrogel, curing it in a single step. This method is characterized by its high speed and particularly cell-friendly processes. Unlike layer-by-layer printing, the light-based technique minimizes the mechanical stress on the cells. Support structures are not required, and the light dose remains extremely low at less than 600 mJ/cm². Due to the minimized shear stress, cell viability in volumetric bioprinting exceeds 90%.


READYGEL INX© is a bioink that is optimally tailored to the volumetric bioprinting technique. With its superior biocompatibility and a storage module range of 10 to 18 kPa, it produces a material with sufficient mechanical integrity to maintain its shape while being suitable for a range of soft tissue applications. Bioprinting within seconds brings us one step closer to the vision of producing custom  tissue from the body's own cells directly in the operating room.

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Gel-MA-based hydrogel

  • Minimal shear stress on cells
  • For cell encapsulation & cell seeding
  • High-speed printing (5–10 s)
 to the products

Bioprinting using Digital Light Projection (DLP)

High Resolution combined with Speed


Printing with digital light projection is a method adapted from stereolithography (SLA) also based on the process of curing bioresins using light. Unlike volumetric bioprinting, in which the structure is cured in a single step, this method involves layer-by-layer printing. By projecting millions of light points onto a plane, very precise and detailed 3D structures can be produced, achieving a resolution of up to <100 µm. In addition to its high resolution and speed, layer-by-layer printing with light enables different stiffnesses within a structure, which can be controlled by the light intensity and exposure time. As a result, DLP bioprinting is suitable for a variety of tissues.


DEGRES INX© combines high resolution and biodegradability with a unique shape memory behaviour that enables a targeted shape change at body temperature. This property could facilitate minimally invasive surgery. Furthermore, the high elongation at break of up to 350% enables structures which are extremely flexible and adaptable. In comparison, the gelatine-based DLP bioink from BIORES INX© ensures optimal cell interaction and can be used for printing at room temperature.

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Biodegradable polycaprolactone

  • High elasticity & flexibility
  • Unique shape memory behaviour
  • Speed & high resolution

Gel-MA-based hydrogel

  • Printing at room temperature
  • Speed & high resolution
  • Cell interaction
 to the products

Bioprinting using Multiphoton Lithography (MPL)

The highest Resolution ever achieved


Two-photon polymerisation (2PP), also known as multiphoton lithography (MPL), is based on two photons being simultaneously absorbed by a light-sensitive photo resin. This method uses lower-energy light, which ensures that only the atoms or molecules of the photoresin that absorb two photons and transition to a higher energy state will cure. To enable this mechanism, a high light intensity is required, which in this case is generated only in the focused area of a pulsed laser beam. As a result, the photo resin is only cured in the focal volume, which enables a resolution of less than 200 nm and a surface roughness under 5 nm. Printing such precise structures and smooth surfaces is particularly important for bioprinting, as it enables the creation of complex systems, including vascular vessels. 


The bioprinting kits by BIO INX© for multiphoton lithography include both synthetic and gelatin-based bioinks and have advanced properties. Among other achievements, the highest resolution to date has been reached when printing in the presence of cells. Thanks to their versatility, which covers both the micro and macro range, these bioinks are suitable for printing nearly all tissue types as well as Organ-on-Chip applications.

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Gelatine-based hydrogel

  • Very high resolution
  • For cell encapsulation & cell seeding

Biodegradable polyester

  • Highest resolution 
  • Very strong and flexible
  • Easy to process (CURASOL©)

Synthetic hydrogel

  • Very high resolution 
  • Very robust and flexible
  • Bio-inert
  • Organ-on-Chip applications 
 to the products
Overview of our bioinks

Overview of our bioinks

GEL-MA INX©X100 GEL-MA INX©X210 GEL-MA INX©X100 X-Pure EASYGEL INX©X100 SOLID INX©X100 READYGEL INX©X100 BIORES INX©X100 DEGRES INX©X100 HYDROBIO INX©X100 HYDROBIO INX©X400 HYDROTECH INX©X200 DEGRAD INX©X100
Technology FDM FDM FDM FDM FDM VBP DLP DLP MPL MPL MPL MPL
Material Nat. Nat. Nat. Nat. Synth. Nat. Nat. Synth. Nat. Nat. Synth. Synth.
Hydrogel + + + + + + + +
Cell Seeding + + + + + + + + +
Cell Encapsulation + + + + + +
No Cell Interaction + + +
Biodegradability + + + + + + + + + + +
Flexibility + +++ +++ ++
Stiffness + + +++ ++
Resolution + + + + + ++ +++ +++ ++++ ++++ ++++ +++++
Writing Speed +++ + + ++ ++ ++ ++
GMP-like + Low Endo +
Shape Memory + +
Shear Thinning +
CURASOL© (< 65 °C) + +
Art. No. 371L 371N 371P 371T 371X 3721 387L 371Y 372C 372H 372E 372A
3D Printer Compatibility

3D Printer Compatibility

GEL-MA INX©X100 GEL-MA INX©X210 GEL-MA INX©X100 X-Pure EASYGEL INX©X100 SOLID INX©X100 READYGEL INX©X100 BIORES INX©X100 DEGRES INX©X100 HYDROBIO INX©X100 HYDROBIO INX©X400 HYDROTECH INX©X200 DEGRAD INX©X100
Technology FDM FDM FDM FDM FDM VBP DLP DLP MPL MPL MPL MPL
Regemat3D + + + + +
FelixBio + + + + +
Cellink BIOX + + + +
Brinter + + + +
Tomolite (Readily3D) +
LUMEN X + +
LUMEN X+ + +
Upnano NanoOne + + + +
Upnano NanoOneBio + + + +
Nanoscribe Photonic Professional GT2 + + + +
Nanoscribe Quantum X Bio +
Art. No. 371L 371N 371P 371T 371X 3721 387L 371Y 372C 372H 372E 372A


Lia Heiser
As a product manager for cell culture applications, I was concerned to establish a bioprinting range at Carl ROTH. During my academic work, I gained a clear understanding of the immense potential of bioprinting, as well as the challenges associated with it. In order to support research in this field, it was therefore particularly important to me to offer high-quality and reliable bioinks – products I personally trust and stand behind.
 Lia Heiser
Product Management Life Science