Abstract

High-Definition Bioprinting

Aleksandr Ovsianikov, Professor, Additive Manufacturing Technologies, Technische Universität Wien

3D bioprinting and biofabrication are already providing disruptive solutions for tissue engineering and regenerative medicine (TERM). However, the most widespread technologies are based on computer-controlled deposition of cells or assembly of cellular units, and thus cannot achieve spatial resolution better than few tens of micrometres. Lithography-based methods approach the problem from a different direction, by producing 3D structures within cell-containing materials and can therefore overcome this limitation. Among these methods, multiphoton lithography (MPL) is an outstanding one as it can produce features even smaller than a single mammalian cell (down to around 100 nm). Our recent breakthroughs on the material development side enabled the use of MPL for direct fabrication of cell-containing constructs, giving rise to High-Definition Bioprinting. In this contribution the principles of HD Bioprinting, its recent progress of as well as its perspectives for further TERM applications, will be discussed. The presentation is supported by numerous examples.