Three-dimensional bio-printing.
Three-dimensional (3D) printing technology has been widely used in various manufacturing operations including automotive, defence and space industries. 3D printing has the advantages of personalization, flexibility and high resolution, and is therefore becoming increasingly visible in the high-tech fields. Three-dimensional bio-printing technology also holds promise for future use in medical applications. At present 3D bio-printing is mainly used for simulating and reconstructing some hard tissues or for preparing drug-delivery systems in the medical area. The fabrication of 3D structures with living cells and bioactive moieties spatially distributed throughout will be realisable. Fabrication of complex tissues and organs is still at the exploratory stage. This review summarize the development of 3D bio-printing and its potential in medical applications, as well as discussing the current challenges faced by 3D bio-printing.
State Key Laboratory of Reproductive Biology, Institute of Zoology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 100101, China.
Qi
Q
Gu
Jie
J
Hao
YangJie
Y
Lu
Liu
L
Wang
Gordon G
GG
Wallace
Qi
Q
Zhou
D000818:Animals; D062028:Bioprinting / Q000379:methods* / Q000639:trends; D001709:Biotechnology / Q000379:methods / Q000639:trends; D003584:Cytological Techniques / Q000379:methods / Q000639:trends; D016503:Drug Delivery Systems; D006801:Humans; D066330:Printing, Three-Dimensional / Q000639:trends*; D054457:Tissue Scaffolds