title: Could 3D bioprinted tissues offer future hope for microtia treatment?
abstract: Microtia is a congenital deformity where the pinna is underdeveloped. Contraindications to rib surgery for microtia reconstruction include high-risk surgical status and chest-wall deformities [1-2]. However does stem-cell-based 3D Bioprinting offer revolutionary therapeutic options for patients with such tissue abnormalities. As a technology, 3D-bioprinting is being developed to generate homogeneous tissues by depositing a low viscosity printable cellular-active gel which matures into a tissue [3]. Currently on-going research is developing the process towards producing cartilage tissues for use in reconstructive surgery. This process focuses on using the natural self-organising properties of cells in order to produce a functional tissue which has measurable: mechanical, metabolic and functional properties.
authors.affiliation: College of Engineering, Singleton Campus, Swansea University, United Kingdom. Electronic address: d.j.Thomas@Swansea.ac.uk.
authors.forename: Daniel J
authors.initials: DJ
authors.lastname: Thomas
mesh_terms: D062028:Bioprinting / Q000639:trends*; D065817:Congenital Microtia / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000601:surgery*; D005544:Forecasting; D006801:Humans; D023822:Tissue Engineering
keywords: 3D biomanufacturing; 3D printing tissues; 3D tissue engineering