Developments with 3D bioprinting for novel drug discovery

Area of Science:

• Biotechnology and Biomedical Engineering
• Pharmacology and Drug Discovery
• Tissue Engineering

Background:

• Drug discovery is a critical but time- and resource-intensive process.
• Traditional two-dimensional (2D) models have limitations in mimicking in vivo conditions.
• Three-dimensional (3D) models offer enhanced accuracy by replicating cellular interactions and tissue microenvironments.

Purpose of the Study:

• To provide a comprehensive review of bioprinted tissue models for drug discovery.
• To assess the potential applications and limitations of these advanced models.
• To discuss future directions and challenges in the field.

Main Methods:

• Review of current literature on bioprinting technologies and their application in tissue fabrication.
• Analysis of various bioprinted tissue models and their suitability for pre-clinical drug testing.
• Appraisal of the advantages and disadvantages of using bioprinted models in drug discovery workflows.

Main Results:

• Bioprinting enables the creation of sophisticated 3D tissue constructs that better mimic human physiology.
• These models show promise in improving the predictive power of early-stage drug screening.
• Key challenges include ensuring efficiency, reproducibility, standardization, and vascularization of bioprinted tissues.

Conclusions:

• Bioprinted tissue models represent a significant advancement over traditional 2D methods in drug discovery.
• Further research is needed to overcome current impediments and achieve widespread adoption.
• Commercialization and regulatory approval are the next critical steps for realizing the full potential of these models.