Bioprinting of tissue engineering scaffolds

Area of Science:

• Biotechnology
• Tissue Engineering
• Additive Manufacturing

Background:

• Bioprinting enables the creation of three-dimensional structures using biomaterials, cells, and biomolecules.
• Hydrogel structures are commonly fabricated for cellular encapsulation and support in bioprinting.
• Advancements in additive manufacturing are crucial for developing functional tissue constructs.

Purpose of the Study:

• To review current bioprinting research for tissue engineering.
• To compare different additive manufacturing techniques used in bioprinting.
• To discuss the potential of bioprinting for creating tissue-mimicking structures.

Main Methods:

• Comparison of inkjet-, extrusion-, and laser-based bioprinting techniques.
• Discussion of requirements for each bioprinting method.
• Analysis of technical challenges in printing living cells.

Main Results:

• Additive manufacturing techniques like inkjet, extrusion, and laser bioprinting are suitable for creating cellular hydrogel structures.
• Each technique presents unique requirements and challenges for printing living cells.
• Bioprinting holds significant potential for advancing tissue engineering.

Conclusions:

• Bioprinting techniques offer versatile platforms for tissue engineering.
• Overcoming technical challenges in cell printing is key to realizing bioprinting's potential.
• This review provides insights into the current state and future directions of bioprinting research.