Guiding Lights: Tissue Bioprinting Using Photoactivated Materials.

Area of Science:

• Biomaterials Science
• Tissue Engineering
• Photochemistry

Background:

• Photoactivated materials are crucial for advanced 3D bioprinting.
• Light triggers chemical reactions for spatiotemporal control over material properties.
• These materials are essential for mimicking complex tissue structures.

Purpose of the Study:

• To comprehensively review photochemical reactions and photoactivated materials in 3D bioprinting.
• To discuss deposition-based and vat polymerization techniques.
• To identify emerging trends and guide the selection of appropriate bioprinting approaches.

Main Methods:

• Review of photochemical reactions and photoactivated materials.
• Discussion of deposition-based (extrusion, droplet) and vat polymerization (one- and two-photon) bioprinting techniques.
• Analysis of principles, applications, and limitations of each method.

Main Results:

• Light-mediated biofabrication offers precise control over material properties at various scales.
• Multicellular and multimaterial constructs can be fabricated.
• The review provides an up-to-date perspective on state-of-the-art bioprinting techniques.

Conclusions:

• Photoactivated materials and light-mediated techniques are revolutionizing 3D bioprinting.
• These approaches hold significant promise for fabricating functional organotypic tissues.
• Further advancements in chemistry and instrumentation will drive future innovations in cell-laden hydrogel constructs.