Back in the 15th Century, when Johannes Guttenberg invented the first printing press, who knew it would go on to have such a huge influence in the development of the renaissance, the scientific enlightenment and the industrial revolution. Putting ink on paper became easier like never before and information spread like wildfire. Before this invention, knowledge was either transcribed by hand or “printed” using wooden blocks. Both these processes were obviously laborious and slow, which effectively meant that access to the printed word was limited to those who could afford their high prices.
Fast forward to 2024, and we are witnessing yet another great invention—bioprinting. Just as Gutenberg’s press made knowledge more reachable, bioprinting is set to reshape healthcare and accessibility, having the potential to ‘print’ human tissues, organs, and even personalize treatments.
While Gutenberg changed the way we shared ideas, bioprinting may change the way we save lives.
Understanding the Concept:
Bioprinting or Biofabrication refers to the layer-by-layer generation of biologically functional cells, tissues, and organs using bioactive materials, living cells, and/or cell aggregates [1]. It involves precise 3D printing or assembly of these components to create structures that mimic the natural architecture and functionality of biological tissues.
A crucial element in tissue engineering is the scaffold, which provides seeded cultured cells a surface to attach, proliferate, and produce the extracellular matrix. The scaffold’s material composition and internal structure, including the size of its pores and interconnectivity, play a key role in regulating and guiding the biological behavior of the seeded cells. The layer by layer approach of bioprinting called as “Additive manufacturing” allows for the creation of complex scaffolds, and design intricate tissue systems. [2]
Techniques involved in bio printing are summarized below [2]:
- Inkjet-based bioprinting is a noncontact technique that precisely deposits bioink droplets onto substrates, using either thermal or piezoelectric mechanisms but the limitation of liquid-only printable materials remains its biggest disadvantage. Previous studies show successful advancements in DNA printing, biocompatible mammalian cells, functional blood vessels and heart valves through the inkjet technique, but challenges remain in meeting the mechanical and biological properties needed for organ functionality in vivo.
- Pressure-assisted bioprinting (PAB) utilizes extrusion to form of a continuous filament through a microscale nozzle orifice or a microneedle, offering advantages such as room temperature processing and effective cell incorporation. It has been successfully applied to produce multicellular grafts that maintain activity and differentiate into bone and blood vessel structures in vivo.
- Laser-assisted bioprinting (LAB) employs nanosecond lasers to irradiate a ribbon coated with liquid biological materials deposited on a metal film, causing the materials to evaporate and reach the receiving substrate in droplet form. A study from 2013 demonstrated printing of skin substitutes using Fibroblasts and keratinocytes which proliferated and adhered well to the tissue around the skin wound [3].
Scope and Impact:
A new age in healthcare and related sectors lies ahead of us all thanks to this technology and several useful applications are presently under investigation. The first promise of bioprinting lies in its potential to eliminate the requirement for animal testing in drug trials. The accuracy and dependability of preclinical trials can be greatly increased by testing directly on bioprinted human tissues, which closely mimic human responses [4]. This approach removes the moral conundrums related to testing on live animals and ensures faster drug trial procedures which would increase the adoption rates of novel drugs [5].
Another area with immense potential is the field of medical education. By creating functional human tissues medical professionals can now learn medical data or practice surgical techniques on realistically designed models which helps deepen their overall understanding, improve their surgical skills, boosts confidence, and prepares them for real-life scenarios [6]
In a controlled setting, researchers can now create certain tissues to examine how different cell types interact, how they respond to therapies, and how diseases develop [7]. This is especially important for diseases like cancer, where treatment outcomes are greatly influenced by the tumor microenvironment [8].
As the technology continues to evolve, the importance of ethical research and application practices increases further. It is essential to carefully negotiate the ethical considerations surrounding the fabrication and use of human tissues to enhance transparency and accountability [9]. Considerations of healthcare inequalities due to high cost, concerns around informed patient consent, the potential application for unethical human enhancement rather than therapy and above all, concerns about “playing God” and altering the natural human form come into play along with the fear of objectifying human body parts. Who remains accountable for such questions that may arise later on and how does humankind handle it?
Environmental Considerations:
Another area of ethical dilemmas is the environmental considerations associated with the technology.
Reduction of Waste and Sustainable Practices: By lowering reliance on non-biodegradable plastics, biodegradable materials like chitosan, collagen, and gelatin we can reduce waste associated with conventional production processes which further contributes towards an ecologically sustainable economy [10][11].
Life Cycle Assessment: By evaluating the environmental effects of bioprinting from the sourcing of materials to the disposal of end-of-life materials, a thorough life cycle evaluation can guide advances in sustainability [12].
Chemical Pollution: Cleaning and maintaining equipment during the bioprinting process may need the use of different chemicals. These substances have the potential of contaminating the environment if improperly handled [13].
Keeping such considerations in mind can eventually lead to better management of the environmental impacts of biofabrication. While the benefits far outweigh the drawbacks, only a holistic approach to human as well as environmental health can yield the most sustainable outcomes for the future.
The Road Ahead:
Ongoing research, ethical concerns and technical hurdles are crucial in navigating the opportunities and difficulties ahead, as we stand at the foot of this towering mountain of healthcare advancements. The field of bioprinting is still in its early stages, but has exciting potential for the future of healthcare. Together, let us continue to innovate and explore, paving the way for a healthier, more sustainable future.
