Nanomaterials for Designing Functional Properties of Bioinks

What is it about?

Three-dimensional (3D) bioprinting is a process that uses a printer, living cells, and bioinks to create 3D structures. Bioinks are solutions or gels that contain living cells, and they can be utilized to fabricate scaffolds for tissue engineering. Additive manufacturing techniques are often used for 3D bioprinting because they can create complex biological structures. The 3D bioprinting procedure should ensure that the encapsulated cells remain viable and under minimal stress throughout all printing stages. However, the inadequate printing capabilities of bioinks make it difficult to print multilayered, large, and complex organs with adequate resolution. This is why scientists are interested in nano bioinks. Nano bioinks are made up of nano-biomaterials that can improve the structural stability and shape fidelity of printed structures, both during and after printing. They can also stimulate cell differentiation, growth, proliferation, and secretion of extracellular matrix factors. This chapter will discuss the current limitations and design of bioinks, useful nano-biomaterials, and smart multifunctional bioinks that incorporate bioinks in the reconstruction of complex tissues and organs, as well as potential future applications.

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