Researchers in the Netherlands published a paper outlining a method of effectively 3D printing bacterial cultures for materials production and patterning.
The paper, authored by Benjamin A. E. Lehner, Dominik T. Schmieden, and Anne S. Meyer, describes the need for more sustainable materials production in society.
Many bacteria can carry out advanced chemical reactions to produce materials such as amyloid-based adhesives and a variety of bioplastics. However, current microbial production techniques can’t produce bespoke material structures in a reliable way.
They used a modified, inexpensive, $300 USD commercial 3D printer, with the heater removed from the print-head, replaced with a liquid bacteria filled syringe and a syringe pump to control output.