Aggregation-Enabled Biomaterials for 3D Bioprinting

Over the last decades, the fabrication of three-dimensional (3D) tissues has become commonplace. However, conventional 3D fabrication techniques are limited in their capacity to produce complex tissue constructs with the required precision and controllability that is needed to replicate biologically relevant tissues. To this end, 3D bioprinting offers great versatility in the fabrication of biomimetic volumetric tissues that are structurally and functionally relevant. It enables precise control of the composition, spatial distribution, and architecture of bioprinted constructs facilitating the recapitulation of the delicate shapes and structures of target organs and tissues. This talk will discuss our recent efforts in developing advanced 3D bioprinting strategies with a correlation to those that are relying on aggregation and self-assembly. These platform technologies will likely provide new opportunities in constructing functional tissues to facilitate regeneration as well as microtissue models for promoting personalized medicine.