Christoph Jurischka1, Franziska Dinter1, Anastasia Efimova2, Romano Weiss1, Juliane Schiebel1,3, Christian Schulz4, Bekzodjon Fayziev5, Peter Schierack1, Thomas Fischer6,7, Stefan Rödiger1,7,8. 1. Chair of Multiparametric Diagnostics, BTU Cottbus - Senftenberg, Senftenberg, Germany. 2. Chair of Inorganic Chemistry, BTU Cottbus - Senftenberg, Senftenberg, Germany. 3. Institute for Biochemistry and Biology, University of Potsdam, Potsdam, Germany. 4. Project Group Pz-Syn, Fraunhofer Institute for Cell Therapy and Immunology, Branch Bioanalytics and Bioprocesses IZI-BB, Potsdam, Germany Located at the BTU Cottbus - Senftenberg, Senftenberg, Germany. 5. Chair of Mathematical Modeling, Samarkand State University, Samarkand, Uzbekistan. 6. Zentrales Analytisches Labor, BTU Cottbus - Senftenberg, Cottbus, Germany. 7. Study Program Forensic Sciences and Engineering, BTU Cottbus - Senftenberg, Cottbus, Germany. 8. Faculty of Health Sciences, Joint Faculty of the Brandenburg University of Technology Cottbus - Senftenberg, the Brandenburg Medical School Theodor Fontane and the University of Potsdam, Senftenberg, Germany.
Abstract
BACKGROUND: The 3D printing is relevant as a manufacturing technology of functional models for forensic, pharmaceutical and bioanalytical applications such as drug delivery systems, sample preparation and point-of-care tests. OBJECTIVE: Melting behavior and autofluorescence of materials are decisive for optimal printing and applicability of the product which are influenced by varying unknown additives. METHODS: We have produced devices for bioanalytical applications from commercially available thermoplastic polymers using a melt-layer process. We characterized them by differential scanning calorimetry, fluorescence spectroscopy and functional assays (DNA capture assay, model for cell adhesion, bacterial adhesion and biofilm formation test). RESULTS: From 14 tested colored, transparent and black materials we found only deep black acrylonitrile-butadiene-styrene (ABS) and some black polylactic acid (PLA) useable for fluorescence-based assays, with low autofluorescence only in the short-wave range of 300-400 nm. PLA was suitable for standard bioanalytical purposes due to a glass transition temperature of approximately 60°C, resistance to common laboratory chemicals and easy print processing. For temperature-critical methods, such as hybridization reactions up to 90°C, ABS was better suited. CONCLUSIONS: Autofluorescence was not a disadvantage per se but can also be used as a reference signal in assays. The rapid development of individual protocols for sample processing and analysis required the availability of a material with consistent quality over time. For fluorescence-based assays, the use of commercial standard materials did not seem to meet this requirement.
BACKGROUND: The 3D printing is relevant as a manufacturing technology of functional models for forensic, pharmaceutical and bioanalytical applications such as drug delivery systems, sample preparation and point-of-care tests. OBJECTIVE: Melting behavior and autofluorescence of materials are decisive for optimal printing and applicability of the product which are influenced by varying unknown additives. METHODS: We have produced devices for bioanalytical applications from commercially available thermoplastic polymers using a melt-layer process. We characterized them by differential scanning calorimetry, fluorescence spectroscopy and functional assays (DNA capture assay, model for cell adhesion, bacterial adhesion and biofilm formation test). RESULTS: From 14 tested colored, transparent and black materials we found only deep black acrylonitrile-butadiene-styrene (ABS) and some black polylactic acid (PLA) useable for fluorescence-based assays, with low autofluorescence only in the short-wave range of 300-400 nm. PLA was suitable for standard bioanalytical purposes due to a glass transition temperature of approximately 60°C, resistance to common laboratory chemicals and easy print processing. For temperature-critical methods, such as hybridization reactions up to 90°C, ABS was better suited. CONCLUSIONS: Autofluorescence was not a disadvantage per se but can also be used as a reference signal in assays. The rapid development of individual protocols for sample processing and analysis required the availability of a material with consistent quality over time. For fluorescence-based assays, the use of commercial standard materials did not seem to meet this requirement.