Applications, Benefits and Drawbacks of Bioprinting – A Review

Abstract

Tissue regeneration technology, also known as ‘bioprinting’ is a work in progress and has made many advances in recent years. Following the invention of 3D printing in the 1980’s, bioprinting has evolved to print various tissues such as heart valves, hepatic tissues and breast cancer cells. Now, many commercial bioprinters are available. Bioprinters show variety in the way they function, their speed, and their cost of operation. There are three common techniques used in this technology: inkjet-based, laser-assisted and extrusion-based bioprinting. The printers require a bioink and scaffold to ensure production of mechanically stable constructs which are able to mimic human tissues. Specific hydrogels and biomaterials are chosen for each printing method. Mainly, gelatin, agarose, alginate, hyaluronic acid, chitosan and fibrin are used. Biopolymers such as PEGDA, PEG and PEGX- PEG are used for structural maintenance of tissues. The Bioprinting technology aims to improve treatments for burns, injuries and cardiovascular diseases by replacing traditional treatments such as autografts, allografts and skin grafts. Ethical issues and legal issues exist with this novel technology but its benefits for animal testing, drug discovery and organ transplantation cannot be ignored.