Three-dimensional bioprinting for medical applications

Abstract

In recent years, three-dimensional (3D) bioprinting has become an emerging technology to fabricate functional tissues and organs that could replicate native tissue function. Due to its ability to precisely position cellular materials and utilize medical images, 3D bioprinting has enormous potential in biomedical applications, including tissue engineering and regenerative medicine. Three-dimensional bioprinting is a rapidly progressing field that has demonstrated clinically relevant impactful uses. In this article, we provide an overview of important aspects of 3D bioprinting technologies, bioink design, and emerging bioprinting technologies in the field. We also feature five articles that focus on different aspects of 3D bioprinting included in this issue. These articles highlight 3D bioprinted tissue models, 3D bioprinting of organoid and organ-on-a-chip platforms, volumetric bioprinting for large-scale tissues and organs, and applications of 3D bioprinting in bone tissue engineering and otolaryngology. Graphical abstract: [Figure not available: see fulltext.]