Title: Harnessing the Mechanical and Gelation Behavior of Tyramine-Substituted Silk Fibroin Bioinks Through Integration into a Modular and Low-Cost 3D Bioprinting Platform

Program: Mechanical Engineering MS

Committee Chair: Sophia Theodossiou

Committee: Sophia Theodossiou, David Estrada, Zhangxian Deng

Abstract: Our study introduces an affordable, modular 3D bioprinting platform designed to overcome the limitations of high-cost commercial systems. By adapting open-source FDM printers and integrating biosafety features, custom firmware, and specialized G-code protocols, we've created a system capable of precise extrusion during rapid crosslinking. The platform uses tyramine-addition silk fibroin (TA-SF) bioinks, which offer tunable gelation and stiffness-key factors for improving cell viability and potential differentiation. We tested multiple TA-SF formulations, evaluating their mechanical, gelation, and biological performance to ensure optimal printability. This customizable, biosafe bioprinting workflow takes us one step closer to an accessible solution for advancing bioprinting in regenerative medicine and tissue engineering.