Click this article to understand what 3D bioprinting is and how it was first discovered.
How does bioprinting work?
Bioprinting is a mind-blowing technology that emerged in the 21st Century. Bioprinting is similar to 3D printing. 3D printing is a technique that deposits layers of material on top of each other to construct a three-dimensional object. Instead of creating metals and plastic, bioprinters print with cells and biomaterials, creating organ-like structures that let living cells multiply. Bioprinters can be inkjet-based, laser-assisted, or extrusion based. Bioprinters’ compatibility with bio-ink also varies, therefore, it is essential to ensure the bioprinter and bio-ink work well together.
Figure 1: Different types of bioprinters
Bioprinters
Bioprinters use bio-ink which is a printable material that contains living cells. We can print the cells or tissues of a specific person with bioprinters by using the stem cells of the person. A very thin strand of human tissue emerges from the printer's nozzle. A computerized image or file guides the placement of the strands. After printing some bio-ink will stiffen immediately while others need some chemical process to stabilize the structure. The cells produced by the bioprinters can function precisely in the same way as real cells such as multiplying and exchanging nutrients.
Past, current & future of bioprinting
Researchers can now successfully print human body tissues with bioprinters. In 2014, Organovo announced the first successful printing of liver tissue and it functioned as a real liver for weeks. So far, scientists have succeeded in printing cartilage, ears and bones.
We can quickly test new drugs on printed living cells and tissues which can save a lot of money and time. Scientists are now also trying to artificial skin cells for wound healing and plastic surgery.
However, we are still far from creating artificial organs by bioprinters. One of the greatest challenges for scientists is how to supply oxygen and nutrients to a full-size artificial organ. If we can produce artificial organs easily with bioprinters, we can save a lot of lives since we do not need to face a shortage of organ donors.
Hopefully one day, it would be possible that doctors will ship a copy of the tissue sample of the patients to a Bioprinting Company. After a few days, the organs will be ready for transplant.
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