Work presented in this dissertation demonstrates the utility of 3D printers in scientific research with specific applications to diabetic research. An overview of 3D printing techniques is discussed with special emphasis on PolyJet 3D printing. This printing technique is utilized to explore Cell-to-Cell communication in relationship to diabetes, binding of protein- ligand complexes under diabetic conditions, and teaching and research applications tangentially related to diabetes. PolyJet 3D printing technology is a recent technique to the 3D printing field. It works by utilizing a liquid photocurable resin that can be sprayed onto a substrate layer by layer and cured into a final desirable three-dimensional object. With this printer multiple materials and colors can be incorporated into a single model. By incorporating multiple materials into a device, researchers can use the rubber like properties to imbed and seal various non-printable components into a rigid plastic device. One such non-printable component of interest is membranes for size exclusion of molecules up through cells.Diabetes is characterized by the bodies inability to produce insulin (Type 1) or the bodies inability to effectively utilize the insulin produced (Type 2) leading to elevated glucose levels within the body. With this definition, there is an implication made that insulin is the only important molecule in relation to this disease. However, C-peptide is co-secreted with insulin and is suspected to play an important role in the health of the microvasculature. The ability to monitor the communication between cells types would lend to a better understanding of the role of C-peptide under diabetic conditions. Specifically, looking at the communication of pancreatic β-cells, where C-peptide and insulin are synthesized, with red blood cells and endothelial cells, would allow researchers to understand the potential beneficial effects of C-peptide. Proposed within is a new ex vivo 3D printed platform that can selectively capture cells secretions while monitoring the effects on various cell types under both heathy and diseased states.In addition to understanding the role of molecules no longer present or effective under diabetic conditions, it is important to understand the role of molecules synthesized under diabetic conditions. Specifically, the increased glucose concentration leads to the non-enzymatic addition of glucose (glycation) to long lived molecules in the body or Advanced Glycation End Products (AGEs) and can alter the behavior of molecules in vivo. A 3D printed device was developed to study the effect of glycation on albumins ability to bind zinc. It was determined that under healthy condition human serum albumin (HSA) will bind a maximum of 2 molecules of zinc per molecule of HSA whereas under diabetic or glycated conditions there is 1 molecule of zinc per 2 molecules of HSA.In addition to research related to diabetic conditions, applications for 3D printing exist in labware and teaching aids. Utilizing 3D printers, cheap disposable pumps can be employed in hazardous conditions such as handling of radioactive materials. Data presented here demonstrates the development of a multichannel 3D printed peristaltic pump. The majority of the components are 3D printed and the pump is powered by a microcontroller and a continuous rotation servo motor. All in this pump can be assembled for under $150 and can achieve flow rates from 0.4 to 1.4 mL/ min.
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