3D Bioprinting of Hybrid Biopolymer Bioinks for Wound Healing Applications

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dc.contributor.advisorLosic, Dusan
dc.contributor.advisorTran, Tung
dc.contributor.advisorHassan, Kamrul
dc.contributor.authorLe, Phuong Hien
dc.contributor.schoolSchool of Chemical Engineering
dc.date.issued2025
dc.description.abstractChronic wounds have become a global epidemic, affecting millions of patients and contributing to high mortality rates. Among the diverse treatment approaches, 3D bioprinting has emerged as a transformative technology, offering unprecedented potential to fabricate biomimetic skin constructs with intricate cellular compositions and develop wound patches enriched with stem cells or bioactive agents to enhance wound healing. Carboxymethyl cellulose (CMC), a water-soluble cellulose derivative, has gained recognition as a promising biomaterial for 3D bioprinting due to its shear-thinning properties, structural stability across varying pH levels, exceptional water absorption capacity, and ability to provide a 3D microenvironment conducive to cellular activities. However, the limited stability of CMC-based constructs necessitates further optimization to unlock its full potential. This thesis introduces and explores several novel hybrid CMC-based bioinks tailored for wound healing applications. First, a multicomponent bioink combining CMC with xanthan gum (XG) and hyaluronic acid (HA) was formulated to harness the printability of CMC and XG alongside the cellular support properties of HA. Ionic crosslinking using ferric ions enhanced the mechanical strength and long-term stability of the printed constructs. The encapsulation of HaCaT cells and human foreskin fibroblasts within the iron-crosslinked bioinks demonstrated excellent cell viability (>95%) and preserved morphology, highlighting the efficacy of this approach in advancing hydrogel-based bioinks for soft tissue engineering. To address critical challenges, including poor electrical conductivity and inadequate antibacterial properties, a second innovation incorporated the conductive polymer poly(3,4-ethylenedioxythiophene):polystyrene sulfonate (PEDOT:PSS) into a CMC-alginate (ALG) bioink network. Crosslinking with gallium ions (Ga³⁺) conferred both long-term stability and potent antibacterial properties. The resulting bioinks exhibited excellent rheological properties, biocompatibility, and electroconductivity. Moreover, when combined with electrical stimulation, these bioinks facilitated fibroblast elongation and proliferation, presenting a groundbreaking method to accelerate wound healing. These findings establish hybrid CMC-based bioinks as a versatile platform for advanced wound healing applications, bridging the gap between 3D bioprinting innovations and clinical implementation.
dc.description.dissertationThesis (Ph.D.) -- University of Adelaide, School of Chemical Engineering, 2025en
dc.identifier.urihttps://hdl.handle.net/2440/145142
dc.language.isoen
dc.provenanceThis electronic version is made publicly available by the University of Adelaide in accordance with its open access policy for student theses. Copyright in this thesis remains with the author. This thesis may incorporate third party material which has been used by the author pursuant to Fair Dealing exceptions. If you are the owner of any included third party copyright material you wish to be removed from this electronic version, please complete the take down form located at: http://www.adelaide.edu.au/legalsen
dc.subjectbioprinting; conductive bioinks; antibacterial bioinks; carboxymethyl cellulose; ferric coordination; PEDOT:PSS; gallium; electrical stimulation; wound healing
dc.title3D Bioprinting of Hybrid Biopolymer Bioinks for Wound Healing Applications
dc.typeThesisen

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