Bioprinting/3D Bioprinting
What is bioprinting?
Bioprinting is a 3D printing process where bioinks, biomaterials, and cells are used to construct living tissue models. It utilizes a digital file blueprint to print the object layer-by-layer and has applications within tissue engineering, regenerative and personalized medicine, cosmetics, and drug discovery.
There are two types of bioprinting: extrusion-based and light-based. With extrusion-based bioprinting, the researchers load cell-laden bioink into cartridges, which are then loaded into one or more printheads. Once the parameters are set and the design selected, the bioink is extruded into the desired shape. With light-based bioprinting, researchers use a photosensitive bioink, and a patterned light is shined onto the vat of bioink, forming the desired shape.
The types of cells, bioinks, and equipment used depend on the tissue model the researchers are looking to create.
There are three distinct stages to bioprinting:
- Pre-bioprinting: A digital file or 3D model is created for the printer to read.
- Bioprinting: Exclusion-based or light-based bioprinting is used to create the desired shape.
- Post-bioprinting: Most 3D-printed structures require crosslinking to become stable, which is often completed by treating the structure with ionic solution or UV light. At this point, the 3D model is covered with the applicable cell medium and placed in an incubator for cultivation.
What are the applications of bioprinting?
While bioprinting remains a relatively new medical advancement, it offers many applications.
For example, drug testing during the development process can use 3D-printed tissue models instead of animal subjects for a more ethical and cost-effective solution. Additionally, the 3D-printed tissue can be used to determine the efficacy of the drug sooner, saving the manufacturer time and money.
Yet another application of bioprinting is bioprinted artificial organs, which can offer an alternative to organ donation lists.