A Novel, Open-Source, Low-Cost, Uniaxial Strain Bioreactor for 3D Soft Tissue Mechanobiology Applications

Abstract
This article presents a novel, open-source, low-cost 3D uniaxial strain bioreactor fabricated from 3D-printed parts and standard mechanical components. The device employs an eccentric gear mechanism to deliver precise, sinusoidal strain up to 10%, which is geometrically defined by the gear selection. A custom printed circuit board integrates motor control and rotary switches to configure timing parameters. The platform accommodates eight reusable silicone chips, each containing five wells, with four dynamically strained and four serving as static controls. Chips are cast from customizable 3D-printed molds, allowing adaptable experimental configurations. Its compact footprint enables parallel operation of multiple devices within a standard cell culture incubator.
Comprehensive, open-source documentation is provided for all mechanical components, electronics, and the Arduino-based C++ firmware. Device performance was validated through mechanical characterization of strain parameters and biological testing. In a 24-hour cyclic stretch experiment (10% strain, 10-minute on / 20-minute off, 1 Hz) applied to equine 3D mini-tendon constructs, tenocytes showed significant modulation of mechanosensitive (PIEZO1) and inflammatory (interleukin-1β) gene expression, demonstrating the device’s ability to reproduce pathophysiologically relevant mechanical environments. This bioreactor offers an affordable, adaptable, and accurate platform for high-throughput mechanobiology and tissue-engineering research.
The files contain 3D Print data, PCB design data, firmware in C++ for Arduino IDE, a video showing the operation

摘要
本研究提出一款基于3D打印件与标准机械构件制备的新型开源低成本三维单轴应变生物反应器（3D uniaxial strain bioreactor）。该装置采用偏心齿轮机构，可提供最高10%的精准正弦应变，应变的几何参数由所选齿轮决定。定制印刷电路板（PCB）集成了电机控制与旋转开关模块，可配置计时参数。该平台可容纳8个可重复使用的硅基芯片，每个芯片含5个孔道，其中4个用于动态应变加载，另外4个作为静态对照组。芯片可通过可定制的3D打印模具浇铸而成，支持灵活调整实验配置。其紧凑的占地面积支持在标准细胞培养箱内并行运行多台装置。

本研究为所有机械构件、电子元件以及基于Arduino IDE的C++固件提供了完整的开源文档。通过应变参数的机械表征与生物学实验验证了该装置的性能。在针对马源三维微型肌腱构建体开展的24小时周期性拉伸实验（10%应变、10分钟加载/20分钟休息、1 Hz频率）中，肌腱细胞的机械敏感性基因（PIEZO1）与炎症相关基因（白细胞介素-1β，interleukin-1β）的表达出现显著调控，证明该装置能够复现病理生理学相关的机械环境。该生物反应器为高通量力学生物学与组织工程研究提供了一款经济适用、灵活可调且精准可靠的实验平台。

相关文件包含3D打印数据、PCB设计数据、适用于Arduino IDE的C++固件以及一段展示装置运行操作的视频。