New 'necroprinting' enables 3D printing smaller than blood cells

Researchers from McGill University and Drexel University have developed a novel 3D printing technique called “3D necroprinting” that repurposes female mosquito feeding tubes (proboscides) as ultra-high-resolution printing nozzles. These biological nozzles enable printing with line widths as small as 20 microns—finer than the size of a white blood cell—surpassing the resolution limits of conventional metal or glass nozzles. The mosquito proboscis’s natural geometry, evolved for efficient fluid transport and minimal clogging, allows precise material deposition with reduced pressure buildup, making it ideal for micro-scale manufacturing applications, particularly in biomedicine. The team harvested proboscides from ethically sourced mosquitoes and integrated them into custom 3D printers by attaching the feeding tubes to standard dispenser tips. Testing demonstrated the ability to print intricate microstructures such as honeycomb patterns, maple leaf designs, and bioscaffolds capable of encapsulating living cells without damage. The biodegradable nature of