During this last month, we explored the use of decellularized extracellular matrices (dECM) in tissue engineering and cell culture. dECM provides a natural scaffold for cells, containing the necessary biochemical cues and structural support to mimic native tissues. In one study, researchers from Trinity College Dublin investigated how the formulation of an alginate bioink can modulate the mechanical properties of 3D printed scaffolds. Alginate, a natural biomaterial derived from algae, is commonly used as a bioink due to its viscosifying, gelling, and biocompatible properties. The researchers examined different formulations of the bioink, varying the degree of polymerization and the type of divalent cations used for crosslinking. They evaluated the mechanical properties of the resulting scaffolds and assessed their suitability for tissue engineering applications. This work highlights the importance of optimizing bioink formulations to achieve desired mechanical properties in 3D printed constructs.