Fibrin-based Bioinks: New Tricks from an Old Dog

Area of Science:

• Biomaterials Science
• Tissue Engineering
• Regenerative Medicine

Background:

• Bioprinting research has prioritized bioink development over novel printing technologies for a decade.
• Fibrin, a well-established biomaterial, is a foundation for many advanced tissue-specific bioinks.
• Existing bioinks often rely on traditional biomaterials, with fibrin showing increasing interest.

Purpose of the Study:

• To review the properties of fibrin as a biomaterial for 3D bioprinting.
• To outline current applications and trends of fibrin-based bioinks.
• To project future developments in fibrin-based bioink technology.

Main Methods:

• Literature review of scientific publications on fibrin and 3D bioprinting.
• Analysis of material properties, printability, shape fidelity, and biocompatibility of fibrin.
• Synthesis of trends and future research directions in fibrin-based bioinks.

Main Results:

• Fibrin offers excellent biocompatibility and printability, making it suitable for various tissue engineering applications.
• Current research focuses on refining fibrin formulations for enhanced shape fidelity and specific cellular functions.
• The review highlights fibrin's versatility as a scaffold material in regenerative medicine.

Conclusions:

• Fibrin remains a critical and versatile biomaterial in 3D bioprinting.
• Further research should explore novel modifications of fibrin to improve its performance in complex tissue constructs.
• Fibrin-based bioinks hold significant promise for advancing regenerative medicine and therapeutic applications.