Addressing present pitfalls in 3D printing for tissue engineering to enhance future potential.

Area of Science:

• Biomaterials and Regenerative Medicine
• Tissue Engineering
• Biotechnology

Background:

• Additive manufacturing (AM), or 3D printing, is increasingly adopted in tissue engineering.
• Existing AM technologies face limitations and challenges requiring community attention.

Purpose of the Study:

• To outline strategies for advancing additive manufacturing in tissue engineering.
• To highlight the importance of material innovation, technique development, and characterization standardization.
• To discuss modifications in education and outreach for better end-user understanding.

Main Methods:

• Literature review and expert discussion on current AM limitations in tissue engineering.
• Analysis of pathways for technological and methodological advancement.
• Exploration of educational and outreach strategies.

Main Results:

• Advancement necessitates novel materials and techniques alongside standardized characterization methods.
• Standardization is key to improving the translational potential of mature tissue engineering applications.
• Enhanced education and outreach can improve end-user comprehension of 3D printing.

Conclusions:

• The field of additive manufacturing in tissue engineering can progress through material and technique innovation.
• Standardizing characterization is critical for translating 3D printing technologies into clinical practice.
• Improved educational initiatives are needed to ensure effective adoption and utilization of 3D printing.