| Abstract Scope |
Auxetic scaffold architectures, characterized by negative Poisson’s ratio, offer a unique opportunity to engineer soft tissues that undergo large, dynamic deformations in vivo. This talk will highlight recent advances in the design and 3D printing of auxetic scaffolds using both thermoplastics and hydrogels, coupled with bioreactor platforms that enable simultaneous perfusion and cyclic tensile stimulation. Comparative studies across multiple auxetic designs will be presented to establish material-structure-function relationships under physiologically relevant dynamic culture conditions, with an emphasis on the interplay between unit cell geometry, material selection, and printing modality in governing scaffold mechanics and deformation behavior. Results demonstrating enhanced cellular proliferation and matrix production under multimodal stimulation will be highlighted, along with strategies to improve scaffold durability and fatigue resistance using composite bioinks. Collectively, these efforts underscore the potential of auxetic biofabrication approaches for advancing functional soft tissue engineering. |