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3D Bioprinting: From Cells to Organs

02 Mar 2020

3-D Bioprinting is one of the emerging technologies for the creation of functional scaffold, tissues and organ construct. Now the question arises, what is 3D Bioprinting? As the name suggests, ‘3D’ anything having length, breadth, and height, ‘printing’ refers to reproduction using a master form or template with the help of ink. In the case of ‘bioprinting’, ink is made of materials capable of supporting living cells. Therefore, 3D bioprinting is defined as the process based on additive manufacturing from cytocompatible materials (referred to as bio-ink) which are deposited simultaneously on top of each layer to construct 3-dimensional structures.

Process of bioprinting

Bioprinting functional organ essentially requires the following items: (1) A precise computer-generated model of organs to be printed, (2) A bioprinter machine (3) Bioink capable of encapsulating cells and maintain cell viability (4) a bioreactor for the maturation of 3D bio-printed construct.

Potential of 3D bioprinting technology

The current lifestyle, polluted environment and adulteration in food production have increased the prevalence of organ failure worldwide. However, the number of organ donors is just insufficient to cater to the burgeoning demand for organs for organ transplantation. 3D printing when combined with regenerative medicine and tissue engineering offers a reliable and fast method to engineer functional organ and tissue construct and offers a ray of hope for patients suffering from organ failure.

Challenges ahead

The main challenges in 3D bioprinting are the precise scaling to minutest details and the construction of models of the organ to be printed. Secondly, the development of suitable bio-ink that has good printability characteristics, rapid crosslinking characteristics, cytocompatibility and mechanical properties for the fabrication of stable 3D construct.