3D Printing

Mad Scientist II Contest and Cellular 3D Printing Make Science Fun

Nano3D (n3D), a company that specializes in unique 3D cell culturing solutions for the life Sciences Market (that is systems that allows for creation of 3D dimensional cellular structures, used in the production and study of artificial organic tissue) has launched a contest asking scientists, researchers and students to use n3D products to show how 3D cell culturing can help improve their work.

The “MAD Scientist Contest II is aiming to promote the “3D Cell Culturing Revolution”, by giving participants an opportunity to master the newest technologies, win prizes for a total of $4,000 in travel grants and even apply for a 3 to 6 month paid internship at Nano3D Biosciences.

The cellular 3D printing systems developed by n3D use nano particles and magnets to levitate cells and form 3D multicellular structures. Its Bio-Assembler cultures cells through magnetic levitation, using the nanoparticle-based Nanoshuttle-PL system to deliver magnetic nano particles to the cells. Magnetic drives then levitate cells to create the 3D cell growth environment (as seen in the image below), making the process as fast and accessible (to Life Scientists, that is) as the more traditional 2D methods.

Bioprinting 3D Printing

Along with the Bio-Assembler, n3D’s BioAssay, which we recently covered in an article on 3DPI, is a 3D system for automatic cytotoxicity testing using magnetic levitation technology.

Future “mad scientists” from all over the world can submit entries based on different aspects of 3D cell culturing. For example they can show co-culturing of different cell types or compare levitated cell cultures created with n3D systems to other 2D and 3D methods. They could also more “simply” illustrate how n3D’s BioAssay and Bio-Assembler can help improve research and data collection. Use of n3D’s technology is required to participate but n3D Biosciences will give out free MAD Scientist Kits (with one additional NanoShuttle refill) to students and scientists who lack the funds to purchase one.

Those who think they have what it takes must register by March 24th and submit the entry (as an image, video and/or graph with caption) by March 31st. Winners will be announced and prizes will be awarded at a ceremony that will take place on May 10th 2014.

Describing 3D cell culturing technology as a form of 3D printing may be a bit too simplistic, however it is undeniable that the idea of creating three dimensional cell cultures is in line with the 3D revolution that is taking place in all aspects of human creativity. That this form of “3D printing” uses magnetic levitation of live cells mixed with magnetic nanoparticles for 3D (additive) manufacturing of multicellular structures demonstrates that 3D manipulation of matter (even if it is organic matter) is just more fun.