Biomaterials-based 3D cell printing for next-generation therapeutics and diagnostics

Area of Science:

• Biomedical Engineering
• Regenerative Medicine
• Tissue Engineering

Background:

• 3D cell printing offers flexibility and versatility for recapitulating human tissue features.
• Optimal tissue engineering requires higher-order assembly of cells, biomaterials, and biomolecules for morphogenesis and vascularization.
• Integrating 3D cell printing with microfluidics has significantly advanced engineered tissue vascularization.

Purpose of the Study:

• To review recent advancements in 3D cell printing and bioinks for human tissue engineering.
• To outline technical requirements for successful tissue fabrication.
• To propose future directions for developing next-generation therapeutics and diagnostics.

Main Methods:

• Review of current literature on 3D cell printing technologies and bioinks.
• Analysis of the convergence of 3D bioprinting with microfluidics, stem cell technology, and genetic engineering.
• Discussion of critical requirements for tissue morphogenesis and vascularization.

Main Results:

• 3D cell printing, combined with smart biomaterials and polymerization, allows for complex tissue feature recapitulation.
• Microfluidic integration with 3D bioprinting has greatly improved tissue vascularization.
• Advances in stem cells and genetic engineering offer new possibilities for 3D tissue fabrication.

Conclusions:

• 3D cell printing is a powerful platform for engineering functional human tissues.
• The technology holds significant potential for disease modeling and advancing precision medicine.
• Further development is needed for next-generation therapeutics and diagnostics based on engineered tissues.