TissueStart™

Designed for scientists who are just starting to work with bioprinting

TissueStart™ is TissueLabs’ entry-level extrusion bioprinter, designed for academic labs and researchers beginning their biofabrication journey. It delivers precise and reproducible multi-material 3D bioprinting through piston-driven micro-extrusion printheads with 0.1 µL volume steps, eliminating the need for compressed air or pressure optimization. Its dual extrusion system supports seamless co-axial and mixing printing, while built-in photocuring and compatibility with Petri dishes, slides, and multi-well plates make it a versatile solution for a wide range of research applications. Compact, robust, and cost-effective, TissueStart™ is a research-use-only instrument available worldwide, with onboarding and training support included.

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Precision Extrusion with Volumetric Dispensing

Piston micro-extrusion printheads with a 0.1 μL volume step through a syringe for enhanced precision and reproducibility. No need for optimizing pressure!

Multi-material and Coaxial Printing

Two independent printheads allow printing with different biomaterials in the same structure or to perform seamless co-axial printing.

Mixtrusor™ Mixing System

The Mixtrusor™ mixing system enables precise bioink blending for complex, multi-material 3D structures, enhancing versatility and control in biofabrication.

Photocrosslinking

Easy bioprinting with built-in photocrosslinking system, featuring 365 nm and 405 nm wavelengths.

Material Flexibility

Designed to be an open material platform, meaning that users can load any material into a syringe and print it.

Compact

Robust, reliable, and compact enough to fit in your biosafety cabinet or on the benchtop.

Designed for multiple applications

Tissue Engineering

TissueStart™ allows researchers to create intricate 3D scaffolds and tissue models that closely mimic the structural and functional properties of human tissues. This capability is crucial for advancing regenerative medicine, as it enables the development of tissue replacements for damaged or diseased organs. By providing a platform for the precise placement of cells and biomaterials, TissueStart™ facilitates the study of cell behavior, tissue growth, and the development of vascularized tissues, which are essential for creating functional tissue grafts that can be used in clinical settings.

Material Sciences

In material sciences, TissueStart™ plays a critical role in the exploration and development of novel biomaterials. The bioprinter's precision helps scientists study materials with specific properties, such as enhanced biocompatibility, mechanical strength, and controlled degradation rates. These materials can be tested for their interactions with biological systems, leading to innovations in medical implants, wound healing applications, and drug delivery systems. Additionally, TissueStart™ enables the study of how different materials can be combined or structured at the microscale to create composites with unique properties, advancing the field of biomaterials science.

Drug Development

TissueStart™ is revolutionizing drug development by enabling the creation of sophisticated 3D organoid models that better replicate the complex architecture and microenvironment of human tissues. These models provide more accurate predictions of how drugs will behave in the human body, reducing the reliance on less predictive 2D cell cultures and animal models. By using TissueStart™ to print multiple types of tissue, researchers can create interconnected systems, such as liver-heart-kidney networks, which allow for comprehensive toxicity and efficacy testing of new drug candidates. This approach not only improves the precision of drug testing but also has the potential to significantly shorten the drug development timeline and reduce costs.

Organ-on-a-chip

TissueStart™ is integral to the development of organ-on-a-chip systems, which are small devices containing human cells that simulate the functions of real organs. These chips are used to model diseases, study drug responses, and understand organ interactions in a controlled environment. TissueStart™ enables the fabrication of the microfluidic channels and cellular architectures needed for these chips, providing a powerful tool for researchers to investigate how organs respond to different stimuli, how drugs are metabolized, and how diseases progress at the cellular level. This technology holds the promise of reducing the need for animal testing and providing more accurate models of human physiology.

Soft Robotics

TissueStart™ is instrumental in the emerging field of soft robotics, where it is used to fabricate flexible, bio-inspired components that can be integrated into robotic systems. These components, made from soft, tissue-like materials, allow robots to perform delicate tasks, such as interacting with humans or handling fragile objects, in ways that traditional rigid robots cannot. The ability of TissueStart™ to print materials with varying mechanical properties enables the creation of actuators and sensors that mimic the movement and responsiveness of biological tissues, leading to more adaptive and lifelike robotic systems. This technology has applications in medical devices, rehabilitation, and even in the development of robots that can navigate complex environments by mimicking the flexibility and adaptability of living organisms.

Eletronics

TissueStart™ is also capable of printing non-biological electronic components such as printed circuit boards (PCBs) and other electronic structures. This versatility allows researchers and engineers to explore the integration of electronics with biological systems, enabling the creation of hybrid devices that combine the advantages of both. The ability to fabricate electronics in custom shapes and sizes opens up new possibilities in the design of innovative electronic devices, such as flexible displays, smart textiles, and compact, high-performance circuits. By bridging the gap between biology and electronics, TissueStart™ supports the development of next-generation bioelectronic devices that can monitor, diagnose, and treat medical conditions in real-time, as well as innovative consumer electronics that adapt to the user’s environment and needs.

Cultured Meat

In the field of cultured meat production, TissueStart™ offers the capability to bioprint complex structures that closely mimic the texture, taste, and nutritional content of traditional meat. By layering different types of cells and biomaterials, TissueStart™ can replicate the marbling, muscle fibers, and fat content that give meat its characteristic qualities. This technology not only addresses ethical concerns related to animal farming but also offers a sustainable alternative to meat production, with the potential to reduce the environmental impact of livestock agriculture. As technology advances, bioprinted meat products can be customized to meet specific dietary needs, such as higher protein content or added vitamins, making cultured meat a versatile and healthier option for consumers.

Technical specifications

Printheads

2 independent piston-based microextruders

Compatible syringes

3 mL and 5 mL

Theoretical volume unit step

0.1 µL

Printhead flow rate range

1 - 50 µL/sec

Surface compatibility

Petri dishes, slides, and multi-well plates.

Build volume

127x85x80 mm (x,y,z)

Photocuring system

365nm and 405nm

Calibration options

Manual

Linear positioning precision

XY: 10µm | Z: 2.5µm

Minimum layer thickness

25 µm

Software

TissueCloud™

Supported file formats

.stl, .obj, .amf

OS compatibility

Windows 10 or later

Connectivity

USB 2.0

Operating temperature

Room temperature

Power supply

Input: 100-240VAC, 50/60Hz, 2.0A Output: 12VDC, 10A, 120W

Outer dimensions (DxWxH)

330 mm x 280 mm x 230 mm

Weight

6.8 kg

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