FRESH METHOD: 3D BIOPRINTING AS A NEW APPROACH FOR TISSUE AND ORGAN REGENERATION

Abstract

Over the last decade, techniques of additive manufacturing of biomaterials have undergone a transformation, from a fast prototype tool used in research and development, to a viable approach in the production of customised medical devices. The key to this transformation is the ability of additive manufacturing to precisely define the structure and properties of a material in three dimensions, and to adjust those properties to unique anatomical and physiological criteria based on the medical data obtained by Computed Tomography (CT) and Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI). The 3D bioprinting technique was developed as a solution to provide temporary and ubiquitous support of structures during the printing process. In general, integrated 3D printing may be understood as a building chamber that is filled with bearing materials, where biomaterials, cellular spheroids, cell-laden hydrogels and other materials (bioinks) are deposited using a syringe-based extruder. In particular, FRESH 3D bioprinting is a revolutionary technology, which may bring a fast and efficient advancement to medicine thanks to the ability to print new tissues from live cells.