Three-dimensional bioprinted gelatin methacryloyl scaffold: a versatile platform for nasal cell culture and drug testing applications

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Developing advanced biomaterials and precision techniques is critical for tissue engineering and drug testing. This study shows the design and development of a novel 3D-bioprinted gelatin methacryloyl (GelMA) scaffold embedded with RPMI-2650 nasal epithelial cells for nasal cell culture and drug testing applications. The CAD-designed scaffold presented a robust structure and biocompatibility. Studies of swelling behaviour displayed effective medium transport and retention, especially in cell-laden scaffolds. The potential of the GelMA scaffold to enable 3D cell growth was confirmed by the continuously high cell viability (>95 %), spheroid formation and substantial cell proliferation. Biocompatibility was confirmed by live/dead cell imaging and coverage studies, which revealed a 5-fold increase in live cell coverage over two weeks. These findings highlight the potential of 3D-bioprinted GelMA scaffolds as a customisable, biocompatible, and robust platform for advancing drug screening, cell culture, and tissue engineering. Future studies will focus on optimising scaffold composition and incorporating dynamic culture conditions to further enhance physiological relevance and translational potential.