3D Bioprinting of Cardiovascular Tissue Constructs: Cardiac Bioinks

Abstract

Three-dimensional (3D) cardiac tissue bioprinting sits at the crossroads of cardiovascular biology, additive manufacturing, and materials science and engineering. As such this area of research requires know-how from each of the above fields and has to address some significant challenges when it comes to translational success and novel developments. Of specific interest are advances in bioink formulation, where biochemical and mechanical properties of hydrogels must be precisely tailored to produce cardiac-specific bioinks that could support functional heart tissue for diverse in vitro and in vivo applications. Hydrogel-based bioinks must fulfill several key biophysical and biochemical requirements, before, during, and post-printing processes. This chapter explores in depth the parameters that are necessary for a successful bioink solution that can support cardiac tissue structure and function.