Bioprinting: Foundations, Advances, and Applications
Compiled: March 21, 2025
By: İlayda Namlı and Ibrahim Ozbolat
License: CC BY-SA 4.0
Introduction
Bioprinting has rapidly evolved from an experimental concept to a transformative technology with applications in tissue engineering, regenerative medicine, and disease modeling. This collection of landmark articles serves as a curated reading list for those seeking foundational and cutting-edge knowledge in the field. These articles have been selected based on their contributions to bioprinting techniques, material advancements, and biomedical applications.
Advances in Bioinks and Biomaterials
The heart of bioprinting lies the ability to create three-dimensional, cell-laden structures using specialized materials and precise fabrication techniques. The importance of materials in bioprinting cannot be overstated: the choice of bioinks, materials that support cell viability and promote biological function, is critical to the success of printed tissues. These materials must meet specific criteria, such as biocompatibility, mechanical strength, and the ability to support cell adhesion and differentiation. The development of new bioinks, from hydrogels to protein-based scaffolds, is a driving force behind many of the advances in the field.
Material selection is crucial for bioprinting, affecting cell viability, mechanical properties, and tissue function.
Bioprinting Strategies
Equally important are the various bioprinting strategies employed to achieve high precision and control in fabricating complex tissues. Techniques such as inkjet, extrusion, aspiration and laser-assisted printing each have distinct advantages and limitations. Inkjet printing, for example, allows for fine resolution and high throughput, but it can be challenging when working with viscous bioinks or maintaining cell viability. Extrusion-based bioprinting offers a robust method for printing with high cell densities and supporting the formation of larger tissue constructs but requires careful material optimization to ensure proper structural integrity. Laser-assisted printing, while enabling precise deposition of biomaterials, faces challenges in tissue complexity.
These papers established core bioprinting methods, setting the stage for current advancements in the field.
Bioprinting of Tissues and Organs
In addition to bioprinting strategies, a significant challenge in the field is the fabrication of functional tissues that mimic the complexity of native organs. Achieving this goal involves overcoming numerous hurdles related to vascularization, tissue maturation, and cell differentiation. While advancements have been made, fabricating tissues that can perform complex biological functions, such as those found in human organs, remains an ongoing challenge.
The following studies highlight how bioprinting is used to create functional tissues and organs for medical applications.
Download the Reading List
Recommended Citation
İlayda Namlı and Ibrahim Ozbolat (2025). “Bioprinting: Foundations, Advances, and Applications.” In: Jennifer K. Wagner, Caitlin Maloney, İlayda Namlı, Ibrahim Ozbolat, and Laura Cabrera (2025). Boosting Bioethics and Bioprinting Resource Library, Last modified Apr. 8, 2025, https://www.bioprinting.psu.edu/resource-library