Resolution of 3D bioprinting inside bulk gel and granular gel baths

Abstract

Three-dimensional (3D) bioprinting has rapidly developed in the last decade, playing an increasingly important role in applications including pharmacokinetics research, tissue engineering, and organ regeneration. As a cutting-edge technology in 3D printing, gel bath-supported 3D bioprinting enables the freeform construction of complex structures with soft and water-containing materials, facilitating the in vitro fabrication of live tissue or organ models. To realize in vivo-like organs or tissues in terms of biological functions and complex structures by 3D printing, high resolution and fidelity are prerequisites. Although a wide range of gel matrices have recently been developed as supporting materials, the effect of bath properties and printing parameters on the print resolution is still not clearly understood. This review systematically introduces the decisive factors for resolution in both bulk gel bath systems and granular microgel bath systems, providing guidelines for high-resolution 3D bioprinting based on bath properties and printing parameters.