Ink-jet printing of human cells

Ink-jet printing can be used for the selective deposition of cells within a tissue engineering scaffold. During the droplet formation process the liquid experiences shear strain rates close to 10(4) s(-1) and similar strain rates occur during droplet impact on a surface. These strain rates will subject cells in suspension to large stresses and deformation and the response of cells to these conditions is unclear. A commercial piezoelectric ink-jet printer has been used to deposit a range of cell lines and primary cells. Cells have been characterised and assayed for viability in culture after deposition. Cells are found to show a robust response to ink-jet printing and the technique is a viable method of cell deposition and patterning.