Bioreactors in tissue engineering: scientific challenges and clinical perspectives

Area of Science:

• Biotechnology
• Tissue Engineering
• Bioprocess Engineering

Background:

• Conventional manual and static techniques in tissue engineering have limitations.
• Translational research requires robust methods for tissue development and manufacturing.
• Bioreactors offer advanced capabilities beyond traditional approaches.

Purpose of the Study:

• To discuss the multifaceted role of bioreactors in the tissue engineering translational paradigm.
• To highlight bioreactors as tools for overcoming limitations in tissue engineering.
• To explore bioreactors as 3D culture models and tissue manufacturing devices.

Main Methods:

• Review of bioreactor applications in tissue engineering research and manufacturing.
• Discussion of bioreactors as pragmatic tools, 3D culture systems, and manufacturing devices.
• Integration of computational modeling, sensing, and control techniques with bioreactor systems.

Main Results:

• Bioreactors serve as pragmatic tools, enabling automation and physical conditioning of developing tissues.
• They function as 3D culture model systems that recapitulate in vivo conditions.
• Bioreactors act as tissue manufacturing devices for safe, standardized, and scalable graft production.

Conclusions:

• Fundamental knowledge from controlled bioreactor systems is crucial for optimizing tissue manufacturing processes.
• Bioreactors are pivotal for streamlining the transition of tissue engineering from research to clinical application.
• Well-defined bioreactor systems are essential for the cost-effective and efficient production of clinical-grade tissues.