Modulating physical, chemical, and biological properties in 3D printing for tissue engineering applications

Abstract

Over the years, 3D printing technologies have transformed the field of tissue engineering and regenerative medicine by providing a tool that enables unprecedented flexibility, speed, control, and precision over conventional manufacturing methods. As a result, there has been a growing body of research focused on the development of complex biomimetic tissues and organs produced via 3D printing to serve in various applications ranging from models for drug development to translational research and biological studies. With the eventual goal to produce functional tissues, an important feature in 3D printing is the ability to tune and modulate the microenvironment to better mimic in vivo conditions to improve tissue maturation and performance. This paper reviews various strategies and techniques employed in 3D printing from the perspective of achieving control over physical, chemical, and biological properties to provide a conducive microenvironment for the development of physiologically relevant tissues. We will also highlight the current limitations associated with attaining each of these properties in addition to introducing challenges that need to be addressed for advancing future 3D printing approaches.

Physical and Mechanical Characterization of Fibrin-Based Bioprinted Constructs Containing Drug-Releasing Microspheres for Neural Tissue Engineering Applications

“…A biocompatible bioink should result in high cell viability, proliferation, adhesion, migration, and differentiation into mature tissues [6]. The mechanical properties of the bioink play an important role in maintaining the desired tissue shape after bioprinting and influence the behavior of cells seeded inside the bioprinted construct [3,[7][8][9]. Moreover, achieving the desired print resolution for the bioprinted construct depends on the rheological properties of bioinks [10][11][12][13].…”

STED Direct Laser Writing of 45 nm Width Nanowire

“…By numerical control the scanning route of laser beam, 2D or 3D structures with arbitrary shape can be obtained, realizing 3D printing with sub-micron resolution [11,12]. Although these micro or sub-micro structures have found applications as photonic devices [13,14], biomedical components [15,16,17], microfluidic devices [18,19,20], and electronic circuits [7,21,22], structures with nanometer feature size will find wider applications.…”

Three-Dimensional Human Neural Stem Cell Models to Mimic Heparan Sulfate Proteoglycans and the Neural Niche

“…The importance of the ECM in influencing cellular behavior has led to several major developments in the bioengineering of 3D matrices. Examples include 3D bioprinting, combining biomaterials, bioactive factors, and cells, to make functional tissue constructs 45 and melt electro spinning fibrous structures made from polymer melts, 46 providing researchers with genuine excitement about creating and recreating organoids and biologically relevant 3D microenvironments. There is still a lot of work to be undertaken as most of these new technologies are still in their infancy.…”