3D Printing of Hydrogel Polysaccharides for Biomedical Applications: A Review

Area of Science:

• Additive Manufacturing & Bioprinting
• Biomaterials Science

Background:

• 3D bioprinting offers design flexibility for complex structures, crucial for personalized medicine.
• Polysaccharides are extensively researched as natural biomaterials for tissue engineering and drug delivery matrices.
• A significant need exists for cost-effective, sustainable bioinks with superior mechanical, thermal, and biological properties.

Purpose of the Study:

• To review recent advancements in stimuli-responsive polysaccharide 3D printing.
• To examine challenges in developing polysaccharide-based bioinks for specific applications.
• To highlight the potential of these materials in tissue engineering and targeted drug delivery.

Main Methods:

• Literature review of recent developments in polysaccharide bioink formulation.
• Analysis of material properties (mechanical, viscoelastic, thermal) and biological characteristics (biocompatibility, biodegradability).
• Examination of rheological challenges in cell-laden bioprinting.

Main Results:

• Polysaccharides offer biocompatibility, biodegradability, and abundance, making them ideal bioink components.
• Stimuli-responsive polysaccharides show promise for controlled, site-specific drug release.
• Optimizing rheological properties of natural polysaccharides is critical for successful bioprinting.

Conclusions:

• Stimuli-responsive polysaccharides are promising for advanced 3D bioprinting applications.
• Further research is needed to overcome challenges in bioink development and rheology.
• Polysaccharide-based bioinks hold significant potential for personalized medicine and tissue regeneration.