abstract
The increasing demand for biofabricating human tissue analogs for therapeutic applications has encouraged the pursuit of innovative techniques that shift from conventional bioprint-to-use approaches toward instantaneous bioprint-cryopreserve strategies. Such enabling concepts and next-generation technologies open new possibilities for fabricating shelf-ready living constructs for applications in regenerative medicine, preclinical disease modeling, and beyond. The generation of living constructs either for short- or long-term cryostorage requires, however, a careful design of cryoprotective bioinks to maximize biofunctionality and limit cell damage during processing. Gathering on this, herein the most recent updates in cryo(bio)printing technologies are showcased and discussed, along with demonstrative applications of these approaches. The technical toolboxes for designing cryoprotective inks and optimizing freezing/thawing processes are also critically addressed, considering their underlying bioengineering challenges. Realizing the full potential of cryobioprinting is envisioned to unlock the fabrication of increasingly biomimetic tissue constructs and personalized medicine solutions that are readily available, precisely when needed.
keywords
3D PRINTING PROCESS; CRYOPRESERVATION; SCAFFOLDS; VITRIFICATION; CRYOPROTECTANTS; BIOINKS; DESIGN
subject category
Engineering; Science & Technology - Other Topics; Materials Science
authors
Correia, FP; Monteiro, MV; Borralho, M; Zhang, YS; Mano, JF; Gaspar, VM
our authors
Francisca P. Correia
PhD Student
João Mano
Full professor
Maria Vinhas Monteiro
Collaborator
Vítor Gaspar
Assistant ProfessorProjects
CICECO - Aveiro Institute of Materials (UIDB/50011/2020)
CICECO - Aveiro Institute of Materials (UIDP/50011/2020)
Associated Laboratory CICECO-Aveiro Institute of Materials (LA/P/0006/2020)
acknowledgements
F.P.C. and M.V.M. contributed equally to this work. This work was developed within the scope of the project CICECO-Aveiro Institute of Materials, UIDB/50011/2020, UIDP/50011/2020 & LA/P/0006/2020, financed by national funds through the FCT/MEC (PIDDAC). This work was also supported by the Programa Operacional Competitividade e Internacionalizac & atilde;o (POCI) in the component FEDER. The authors acknowledge the financial support by the Portuguese Foundation for Science and Technology (FCT) through the Doctoral Grant (DFA/BD/7692/2020, M.V.M.). Y.S.Z. further acknowledges the support by the National Institutes of Health (R56EB034702).