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Bioprinting Cellularized Constructs Using a Tissue-specific Hydrogel Bioink
Published on: April 21, 2016
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Emerging granular hydrogel bioinks to improve biological function in bioprinted constructs
Cody Tuftee1, Eben Alsberg2, Ibrahim Tarik Ozbolat3
1Department of Biomedical Engineering, Michigan Technological University, Houghton, MI, USA.
Trends in Biotechnology
|October 18, 2023
Summary
New granular bioinks, made of microgels, overcome the printability-functionality trade-off in 3D bioprinting. These porous bioinks enhance cell growth and nutrient transport for superior biological outcomes.
Area of Science:
- Biomaterials Science
- Tissue Engineering
- Regenerative Medicine
Background:
- 3D bioprinting faces challenges balancing material printability with biological functionality.
- Current bioinks often fail to achieve both optimal printability and robust cell viability/function.
- A critical need exists for advanced bioink formulations that resolve this inherent trade-off.
Purpose of the Study:
- To review key trends in the development of granular bioinks for 3D bioprinting.
- To demonstrate how granular bioinks overcome the printability-functionality dilemma.
- To emphasize the importance of understanding structure-property-function relationships in granular bioinks.
Main Methods:
- Review of recent literature on granular bioink development and applications.
- Analysis of examples showcasing granular bioink performance.
- Discussion of the intrinsic properties of microgel-based granular bioinks.
Main Results:
- Granular bioinks, composed of densely packed microgels, exhibit intrinsic porosity.
- This porosity facilitates cell proliferation, nutrient/oxygen diffusion, and improved immunomodulatory effects.
- Granular bioinks demonstrate enhanced biological functions compared to conventional bioinks.
Conclusions:
- Granular bioinks represent a promising advancement in 3D bioprinting technology.
- They effectively address the long-standing trade-off between printability and biological performance.
- Further research into their structure-property-function relationships is essential for maximizing their potential in tissue engineering and regenerative medicine.
