This technology, which consists of different fabrication techniques, such as extrusion-, laser-, and inkjet-based 3D bioprinting techniques, focuses specifically on cell and tissue growth, as well as the manufacturing of biomaterials for biomedical parts.

It’s considered a form of additive manufacturing (AM) and rapid prototyping. However, unlike 3D printers, 3D bioprinters is used to reconstruct biological material and create tissue-like structures from various regions of the body using cell-encapsulating hydrogel bioinks reinforced with extracellular matrix derived from decellularized tissue. Simply put, 3D bioprinting—in conjunction with bioreactor systems—can be used for engineering human tissue.

Different cell types and bioinks are used depending on what’s being fabricated. Each bioink can be made with a specific type of material composed of living cells and additional polymers, such as collagen, gelatin, hyaluronan, and nanocellulose, and knowing what properties each bioink has is critical to tissue engineering’s success. The main bioink properties that should be considered include viscosity, gelation, and crosslinking.

Crosslinking is a crucial step that significantly influences the mechanical and physicochemical characteristics of the bioprinted constructs and the cellular behavior of the incorporated cells in the bioink.

One of the most common materials used for hydrogel-based tissue engineering and drug delivery is alginate. It is a type of biocompatible hydrogel with a wide pore distribution and physical properties that can potentially be tailored to direct 3D cell growth and differentiation in vitro and in vivo. It shows strong crosslinking capabilities, and exhibits high viscosity and gelling properties.

In tissue engineering, the cell type used alongside a specific bioink depends on the tissue model. For example, if the model is the brain, then you might see neural stem cells being used alongside a polyurethane-based bioink.

Being able to print structures that mimic both micro- and macro-environments of human organs and tissue can be incredibly important in clinical trials and drug testing, as well as testing treatments for diseases.

Bioprinting has already aided in the creation of necessary biological materials and cells for medical procedures that involve repairing damaged tissues, as there is often a shortage of these things, and has the potential for so much more.

Key bioprinting applications include tissue engineering and regenerative medicine (TERM) and biomaterial and drug printing, printing living tissues, skin grafts, and organs, as well as tissue models for cancer research and drug and toxicology screening.

These applications are possible due in large part to the combination of nano-biomaterials and bioprinting, which has allowed for new opportunities in biofabrication, improving weaknesses in the biofabrication process and making the production of tissues and organs feasible.