3D Printing of Oxygen-Sensing ECM-Based Skin Graft for Personalized Treatment of Chronic Wounds—A Technological Proof of Concept

Zur Y, Hayam R, et al.

Journal of Functional Biomaterials

Technion - Israel Institute of Technology

RESEARCH SUMMARY

This study presents a personalized, ECM-based skin graft designed for chronic diabetic wound treatment by combining regenerative scaffolding with real-time oxygen sensing. Porcine skin extracellular matrix (psECM) was decellularized, formulated into a printable bioink, and 3D bioprinted into wound-specific grafts using patient-derived geometries. Oxygen microsensors were embedded within the grafts to enable non-invasive monitoring of local oxygen levels via electron spin resonance. The psECM grafts demonstrated suitable rheological and mechanical properties, cytocompatibility with skin cell co-cultures, and low immunogenicity in vitro and in vivo. The work establishes a proof of concept for multifunctional grafts that support tissue regeneration while providing feedback on wound oxygenation, addressing a key limitation in current chronic wound care.

Compressive mechanical properties of bioprinted psECM skin graft constructs were quantified using a CellScale MicroTester G2 microscale mechanical testing system under displacement-controlled compression at physiological temperature (37 °C). Cubic constructs were subjected to controlled compressive loading using a microbeam indenter, and force–displacement data were recorded to calculate Young’s modulus. MicroTester G2 measurements demonstrated that EGCG crosslinking significantly increased scaffold stiffness compared to non-crosslinked controls, providing quantitative validation of the graft’s mechanical stability for handling and implantation.

AUTHORS

Yehonatan Zur, Rotem Hayam, Nir Almog, Inna Kovrigina, Limor Baruch, Aharon Blank, Marcelle Machluf.

PUBLICATION DETAILS

JOURNAL

Journal of Functional Biomaterials

YEAR

2026

INSTITUTIONS

Technion - Israel Institute of Technology

COUNTRIES

Israel

INSTRUMENT USED

MicroTester

TESTING METHODS

Compression TestingHydrated and Temperature Controlled TestingMicro-Mechanical TestingUltra Low Force Testing

RESEARCH APPLICATIONS

3D Bioprinting & Bioink Materials TestingECM & Decellularized Matrix MechanicsScaffold Mechanical TestingSkin and Wound Healing Biomechanics

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