Bioprinting techniques have been
flourishing in the field of biofabrication
with pronounced and exponential developments in the past years. Novel
biomaterial inks used for the formation of bioinks have been developed,
allowing the manufacturing of
in vitro
models and
implants tested preclinically with a certain degree of success. Furthermore,
incredible advances in cell biology, namely, in pluripotent stem cells,
have also contributed to the latest milestones where more relevant
tissues or organ-like constructs with a certain degree of functionality
can already be obtained. These incredible strides have been possible
with a multitude of multidisciplinary teams around the world, working
to make bioprinted tissues and organs more relevant and functional.
Yet, there is still a long way to go until these biofabricated constructs
will be able to reach the clinics. In this review, we summarize the
main bioprinting activities linking them to tissue and organ development
and physiology. Most bioprinting approaches focus on mimicking fully
matured tissues. Future bioprinting strategies might pursue earlier
developmental stages of tissues and organs. The continuous convergence
of the experts in the fields of material sciences, cell biology, engineering,
and many other disciplines will gradually allow us to overcome the
barriers identified on the demanding path toward manufacturing and
adoption of tissue and organ replacements.