Emergent Materials | 2021
Invigoration of polymer bioinks for additive manufacturing of human tissues and organs
Abstract
The emanating paragon of personalized medical care utilizes discrete patient data to customize clinical therapy. While the principal cynosure so far is the formulation of ameliorated therapeutics contingent on “omics” data, the notion outstretches all embodiments of customized treatment. Howbeit, the dearth of in vitro tissue and organ models competent of mimicking human physiology gravely impede the development and clinical translation of drugs and therapies with higher in vivo efficiency. Bioprinting (a form of additive manufacturing) enables us to effectively address the perpetual limitations for the manufacturing of hierarchically organized living constructs with complex structural and functional organization through the precise spatial positioning of multiple materials and cells. Additive manufacturing translates computer-aided design virtual 3D models into physical objects. By digital splicing of tomographic data, 3D scan, or computer-aided design, layer-by-layer fabrication of target objects can be achieved bereft the requirement for molds or machining. As polymeric materials are by far the most exploited class of materials, the anecdote discusses the processing of polymers and the development of polymers and advanced polymeric systems, especially for bioprinting. Facets of polymer design, additives, and processing parameters as they harmonize to exalting build speed and improved veracity, stability, functionality, mechanical attributes, porosity, and surface finish are explored. As the field matures, additive manufacturing is poised to proffer patient-specific tissue and organ substitutes, reproducible microtissues for drug screening and disease modeling, personalized drug delivery systems, as well as customized medical devices; therefore, we also highlight the most pressing challenges facing the research domain to revolutionize modern medicine and healthcare.