3D Printing Functional Biomaterials

Dear Colleagues,

In the last years, there has been increasing interest in the development of functional biomaterials by 3D fabrication techniques, which enable the preparation of complex functional architectures to mimic the native tissues microenvironment. 3D printing is a powerful tool for tissue engineering, which applies additive manufacturing to fabricate 3D tissue resembling architectures of customized shape and interconnected porous microstructures. The biomaterial is a key components in the 3D fabrication. The, culturing cells in 3D should provide the physiologically relevant environment to guide cell behaviors and enhance their functions. The main advantage of 3D (bio)printing is its capability to build up scaffolds (cellularized or not) with high degree of spatial organization and defined biomaterial composition. There are still a lot of technological challenges for the successful development of functional tissues. The printable material, called (bio)ink, can comprise polymer and/or inorganic materials as well as various biologics like cells, growth factors, DNA, drugs loaded in a medium, etc.

The development of inks with good printability and bioactive properties, that guide cellular fate processes, still should improve in order to advance the translation into the clinic. The main 3D (bio)printing techniques include inkjet (droplet-based bioprinting), extrusion, and light-assisted bioprinting. Most of the current technologies are incapable of printing functional organs. This issue has been approached, for example, by developing templates to be used in vivo to support the development of vascularized organs. In addition, 3D printed implants commonly should present outstanding mechanical properties and fix to the target tissue, to ensure long-term regeneration while providing the adequate mechanical support. Recent modifications enable 3D printed objects with multiple materials, core-shell structures, integration of microfluidic channels, by using diverse natural or artificial polymers and inorganic materials to achieve functional materials.

This special issue is oriented, but not limited, to all attempts to 3D print functional biomaterials getting insight into the ink material development, its characterization and processing, as well as into the establishment of the interrelation between 3D printed object microstructure and functionality.

Prof. Dr. Anayancy Osorio-Madrazo
Dr. Hemanth Gudapati
Guest Editors

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