MIT's new magnetic mixer creates the most uniform 3D-printed tissues

MIT researchers have developed a novel device called MagMix to address a major challenge in 3D bioprinting: the settling of living cells in bio-inks due to gravity. This settling causes clogs, uneven cell distribution, and inconsistencies in printed tissues, especially during long printing sessions required for large tissues. Traditional methods like manual stirring or passive mixers fail to maintain uniformity once printing starts. MagMix uses a tiny magnetic propeller inside the syringe, controlled by an external magnet-driven motor, to continuously and gently mix the bio-ink without contamination, fitting most standard bioprinters. Testing showed that MagMix effectively prevents cell settling for over 45 minutes of continuous printing across various bio-inks, reducing clogging and preserving high cell viability. The system’s adjustable mixing speeds allow for effective homogenization tailored to different bio-inks while minimizing stress on living cells. The researchers successfully used MagMix to print functional muscle tissues, demonstrating its potential for producing more reliable and consistent human tissues