Materials Manufactured from 3D-Printed Synthetic Biology Arrays: Cell Printing Substrate for Synthetic Biomaterial Production

A biocompatible substrate providing physical and biological support for printed cells designed for the production of non-living biomaterials.

A properly designed printing substrate for synthetic biomaterial production maintains cell life support post printing, provides shape definition and physical support to the printed cell array, interacts with the cell printing medium to allow or provide material production stimulus post-printing, and controllably binds the produced material.

The substrate has been developed to allow the printing of 3D arrays of bioengineered cells for the purpose of producing human-designed, non-living biomaterials.  The same substrate can, with modifications, support other applications, such as the following:

• 3D-structured purification, compositing, or assembly of biologically active compounds or component materials
• controlled growth of material-producing cells, such as biofuels or pharmaceuticals
• creation, via printing or other means, of biocompatible scaffolds for microbial or tissue growth

This is early/mid-stage (TRL 2) — the most realistic path in is NASA SBIR/STTR, which funds small businesses and research institutions to develop technology aligned with NASA's needs (equity-free, phased funding). Check whether a current SBIR/STTR solicitation topic overlaps with this project's technology area, or contact the project directly (above) to ask.

None of these are guaranteed paths for this specific project — TechPort itself doesn't have an "apply" button. Reaching out to the contact(s) above with a specific question is usually the fastest way to find out what's actually open.