Abstract
Stem cell technology in regenerative medicine has the potential to provide an unlimited supply of cells for drug testing, medical transplantation and aca-demic research. In order to engineer a realistic tissue model using stem cells as an alternative to human tissue, it is essential to create artificial stem cell microenvironment or niches. Three-dimensional (3D) bioprinting is a promising tissue engineering field that offers new opportunities to precisely place stem cells within their niches layer-by-layer. This review covers bioprinting technologies, the current development of 'bio-inks' and how bioprinting has already been applied to stem-cell culture, as well as their applications for human regenerative medicine. The key considerations for bioink properties such as stiffness, stability and biodegradation, biocompatibility and print- ability are highlighted. Bioprinting of both adult and pluriopotent stem cells for various types of artificial tissues from liver to brain has been reviewed. 3D bioprinting of stem-cell derived tissues for human regenerative medicine is an exciting emerging area that represents opportunities for new research, industries and products as well as future challenges in clinical translation.
| Original language | English |
|---|---|
| Article number | 20170224 |
| Number of pages | 11 |
| Journal | Philosophical Transactions B: Biological Sciences |
| Volume | 373 |
| Early online date | 21 May 2018 |
| DOIs | |
| Publication status | Published - 5 Jul 2018 |
Keywords
- stem cells
- human tissue
- human regenerative medicine
- bioprinting