Biomaterials for biofabrication

Silvia FARE', Politecnico di Milano

Additive manufacturing (AM), in particular 3D printing, is now widely investigated for possible use in the biomedical field. In fact, mimicking the biological and functional organizational complexity of native tissues is now considered as the next challenge in tissue regeneration. Although AM technologies inspired the field of biofabrication, AM approaches generally involve the use of organic solvents, high temperatures or crosslinking agents that are not compatible with living cells and/or bioactive agents.

Hydrogels, classified in the biofabrication field as “bioinks”, are very attractive candidates as cell-laden materials, providing an instructive 3D environment, simulating the natural extracellular matrix. The main natural and synthetic materials, focusing on hydrogels, investigated as bioink in 3D biofabrication are here presented. Advantages and drawbacks in the use of natural or synthetic hydrogels are to be taken into account depending on the specific application (i.e., tissue to be regenerated). As bioinks have some significant problems regarding the required physical and biological properties, the main physico-chemical parameters that determine the printability of a hydrogel are described. In particular, the rheological properties, influencing the biofabrication processing, and the crosslinking mechanism, correlated to shape fidelity and mechanical stability are discussed. In addition, other hydrogels characteristics, such as the use of bioinks with different rheological and swelling behavior, will be taken into account.

 
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