3D CoraPrint and underwater superglue for coral restoration

Due to environmental factors such as increasing heat and pollution, coral reefs are experiencing steady and substantial degradation over the years. 3D CoraPrint can produce porous coral scaffolds for coral nurseries with a sustainable material composed of calcium carbonate photopolymer material (CCP). Biocompatible ultrashort peptide hydrogels are used as scaffolding materials for 3D bioprinting. Our work shows that hydrogels can provide a favorable environment for cellular growth. We aim to combine our coral scaffolds with our field-approved environmentally friendly peptide-based superglue in order to glue coral microfragments to the 3D printed coral structures. Afterwards, the obtained structures will be printed/sprayed with peptide hydrogels to provide growth support. The growth and general health status of the treated glued fragments will be monitored over time both in nursery and in field.

In our vision, the proposed approach of combining in-house printing with CCP biocompatible and sustainable material and the use of an in-house designed biocompatible underwater superglue will allow the far-reaching goal of generating fast sustainable growing corals for coral reef restoration. Moreover the addition of hydrogel as a coral growth promoter will contribute to provide a better outcome. Key Milestones and Deliverables 1. Printing of porous CCP scaffold 2. Gluing of microfragments with superglue to the coral scaffolds 3. Printing/spraying of hydrogels as growth enhancers 4. Deployment in field and in nursery 5. Monitoring of coral growth/health