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  • Review Article
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Biofabrication strategies for 3D in vitro models and regenerative medicine

A Publisher Correction to this article was published on 03 May 2018

This article has been updated

Abstract

Organs are complex systems composed of different cells, proteins and signalling molecules that are arranged in a highly ordered structure to orchestrate a myriad of functions in our body. Biofabrication strategies can be applied to engineer 3D tissue models in vitro by mimicking the structure and function of native tissue through the precise deposition and assembly of materials and cells. This approach allows the spatiotemporal control over cell–cell and cell–extracellular matrix communication and thus the recreation of tissue-like structures. In this Review, we examine biofabrication strategies for the construction of functional tissue replacements and organ models, focusing on the development of biomaterials, such as supramolecular and photosensitive materials, that can be processed using biofabrication techniques. We highlight bioprinted and bioassembled tissue models and survey biofabrication techniques for their potential to recreate complex tissue properties, such as shape, vasculature and specific functionalities. Finally, we discuss challenges, such as scalability and the foreign body response, and opportunities in the field and provide an outlook to the future of biofabrication in regenerative medicine.

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Fig. 1: Bioprinting and bioassembly techniques.
Fig. 2: Hydrogel bioprinting.
Fig. 3: Bioassembly of tissue-like constructs.
Fig. 4: Bioprinting in support materials.
Fig. 5: Bioassembly of macroscopic tissue structures.
Fig. 6: 3D bioprinting of tissues and organs.
Fig. 7: Stereolithography and continuous liquid interface production.
Fig. 8: Bioacoustic levitation.

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Zixuan Zhao, Xinyi Chen, … Hanry Yu

Change history

  • 03 May 2018

    This article was originally published with incorrect affiliations for Sang Jin Lee, Yuya Morimoto, Shoji Takeuchi and James J. Yoo. Please see below the correct affiliations.

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Acknowledgements

L.M. acknowledges the Dutch Province of Limburg and the European Research Council (grant #637308) for funding. J.A.B. thanks the AO foundation for funding. S.J.L. and J.J.Y. were supported by the US National Institutes of Health (1P41EB023833-01). S.T. and Y.M. thank A. Shima, S. Nagata and F. Ozawa for valuable discussion.

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Moroni, L., Burdick, J.A., Highley, C. et al. Biofabrication strategies for 3D in vitro models and regenerative medicine. Nat Rev Mater 3, 21–37 (2018). https://doi.org/10.1038/s41578-018-0006-y

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