Bioprinting is a new technique that has gained immense popularity due to its ability to create highly aligned tissues. Bioprinting includes the use of 3D printers which deposit layers of biomaterial to build complex body structures like skin, cartilage, and even corneas. The required cells are isolated from a patient – or adult stem cells can also be used – and are cultivated into a bioink to ‘print’ an organic object. It is held together through gel or collagen scaffold which can support the cells and mould them into the correct shape.
Stages in the bioprinting process
The bioprinting process consists of three distinct phases. First is the pre-processing phase where the planning details are considered before the production of bioprinted tissue. Using specialized software programs the imaging data is transformed into cross-sectional layers so that the bioprinting device adds them in a layer-by-layer fashion. The second phase is the processing phase wherein steps are taken for the actual construction and manufacture of the bioprinted tissue. In this stage, a specific printing method is selected and a combination (bioink, scaffold, and other additives) of materials is formulated which can affect the final tissue product. Finally, the post-processing phase includes all steps that must occur before bioprinted tissue is fully mature and ready for in vivo usage. For most 3D bioprinting applications, this usually occurs within a bioreactor.
Figure: An illustration showing the different stages involved in bioprinting
Why is 3D bioprinting important?
- 3D bioprinting is being used to generate three-dimensional in vitro tissue models.
- These models further aid in drug discovery by reducing the cost and human resource investments required to discover and bring a new drug to market.
- 3D bioprinting of cells to make tumor models are further helpful for understanding the interaction of immune and tumor cells and for finding new treatments.
- 3D bioprinting is going to be the solution to organ shortage.
In the near future, one does not have to wait for organ donors as through bioprinting the organs can be created and used. Apart from organs, the other necessary requirements like blood vessels can also be created. The other applications are bioinks, food and animal products, and biosensors.
Currently, with the increase in cases of COVID-19 disease, the demand for tissue and organ generation is increasing. This further augments the exponential growth of this field.
Global 3D Bioprinting market share
There is a constant technological advancement being made in 3D bioprinters, biomaterials and its wide applications in medicine and the regenerative field. Thus, the market value is projected to reach USD 1,647.4 million by 2024 from USD 651.6 million in 2019.
Figure: Global 3D Bioprinting market share, by application, 2019(%)
To master this technique, the course on 3D bioprinting has been designed which includes 14 sessions. The various sessions give insights on the process of bioprinting, its applications in In Vitro Toxicology, dentistry, drug development, and medical research, among others. To make 3D bioprinting a career option one needs to know how these 3 D bioprinters are created and used, the software used to construct 3D objects. All this can be gained by joining this course. To assess the understanding of this course there will also be a knowledge test at the end.