Automated cell and tissue bioprinter

A method for the scaffold free bioprinting of cells comprising:

• A. providing an apparatus comprising a biomaterial surface upon which a plurality of cells are to be printed;
• one or more printing tips;
• a cartridge for holding said one or more printing tips;
• and a three-axis motion control system configured to move said cartridge in three dimensions with respect to said biomaterial surface;
• B. preparing an aqueous cell containing medium containing a first aqueous polymer;
• C. loading said aqueous cell containing medium into the one or more printing tips;
• D. preparing a second aqueous polymer solution, wherein said second aqueous polymer solution is less dense than and immiscible with said aqueous cell containing medium so that when the second aqueous polymer solution and said aqueous cell containing medium are mixed a partition is formed there between with the second aqueous polymer solution partitioned on the top and the aqueous cell containing medium on the bottom;
• E. preparing the biomaterial surface comprising a decellularized matrix upon which the cells contained in said aqueous cell containing medium are to be printed;
• F. covering said biomaterial surface with said second aqueous polymer solution to a depth of from about 1 to about 15 mm;
• G. inserting said one or more printing tips into openings in said cartridge configured to receive said printing tips;
• H. programming the three-axis motion control system to move said cartridge in three dimensions and at a predetermined speed to place the printing tips at specific predetermined locations as the aqueous cell containing medium is dispensed onto the biomaterial surface;
• and
• I. dispensing the aqueous cell containing medium onto the biomaterial surface at specific predetermined locations and at a predetermined speed.