Ever since the early 2000s, when the 3D bioprinting technology was introduced, a significant inclination has been observed in this space because of its novel fabrication approach in various medical and biological applications. The technology is enabling 3D cell culture methodologies to better duplicate the human body, obtain a deeper knowledge of distinct cell types, and, eventually, design patient- and organ-specific therapeutic paths. In medical research, 3D printing technology is being employed to provide more individualized treatment approaches and speed up medication development.
As of today, bioprinting is playing an important role in novel approaches to regenerative medicine, drug development, personalized medication & therapies (especially in oncology), and systems biology through 3D tissue modeling, transforming current perspectives on biomedical research and presenting significant implications for the future of modern medicine.
Importance of Bioprinting
3D bioprinting plays a significant role in biologics and various healthcare fields. Three-dimensional bioprinting has a great influence and importance in tissue engineering, which seeks to create functional tissue for use in regenerative medicine and drug testing. Tissue regeneration and reconstruction one day will allow for the repair or replacement of damaged tissues and organs using living cells and provide structural support by using different biomaterials in a specified form and structure. Statistics provided by Health Resources & Services Administration (HRSA), in the US approximately 110,000 people are estimated to be on the waiting list for organ transplants and nearly 20 patients die on daily basis due to the lack of organ transplantation.
Evolution of 3D Bioprinting
The advancement of 3D bioprinting over a decade has resulted in its usage in a wide range of applications and one of the most fascinating applications of 3D printing is computer-assisted 3D bioprinting of live cells and support structures using materials in a preset form and structure. Bioprinter tissue allows researchers to test new therapies and assess efficacy early in the process, as well as provide a more accurate model of cellular activity. New medications and therapies can be created over time using a procedure aimed at minimizing failures, reducing animal testing, and accelerating clinical trials.
Recent Developments
The ultimate objective of 3D bioprinting is to develop artificial organs for transplantation but the intricacy required for implicating the exact functionality of the synthesized organ is huge. Fast forward to today, scientists are now able to effectively manufacture biological structures and tissues that mimic natural ones. For instance, a big breakthrough in the realm of 3D bioprinting occurred in June 2022. A 3D-printed ear composed of live tissue was implanted in a 20-year-old Mexican woman for the first time. Microtia is an uncommon congenital condition affecting this patient.
Recent breakthroughs in stem cell research have resulted in the discovery of induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSCs), which have opened up new avenues for tissue manufacturing because these cells may differentiate into any cell type in the body. Exact growth factor delivery systems, on the other hand, would be required for the effective use of promising iPSC technologies to build complex multicellular organizations equivalent to natural tissues.
Thus,3D bioprinting holds a bright future in the market. Its ability to solve the issue of organ scarcity for transplantation, develop breakthrough drugs for major therapies, and many more would revolutionize the healthcare sector.
