In the article, authors describe how they were able to use a specialized 3D bioprinter to print ears, muscles and jawbones.

Anthony Atala, Director of the Institute. The article, “ A 3D bioprinting system to produce human-scale tissue constructs with structural integrity,” was authored by a team of researchers at the Wake Forest Institute for Regenerative Medicine, led by Dr. One example was published earlier this month in Nature Biotechnology. There are several implementations of 3D/4D bioprinting applications that have tremendous potential to revolutionize healthcare. 3D Bioprinting and 4D Bioprinting Applications It’s interesting to note that specifically what post-printing, engineered but self-actuated, construct changes can be included in the definition of a 4D bioprinted structure is still in debate. The construction of individual multi-material printed objects from either living or preliminary substrates for medical or biotechnological applications when they are specifically engineered to respond in anticipated ways to user-demands or a changing environment by self-actuated shape-morphing, cellular differentiation, tissue patterning, defined biological characteristic alteration or functionality development. Whitford proposes the following comprehensive definition for 4D bioprinting: 4D bioprinting begins with the printing of multiple cells or biological matrices resulting in structures that undergo subsequent designed and anticipated (not spontaneous) but self-originated development in response to an environment.”ĭr. Whitford explains that 4D bioprinting is “the printing of smart, environmentally responsive biological structures, tissues and organs. William Whitford in last month’s “ Another Perspective on 4D Bioprinting.” In the article Dr. A definition of 4D bioprinting was presented by Dr. The next generation of 3D bioprinting is called 4D bioprinting. The exact bio ink formulation varies depending on the cells being used and the structure being created. The printing material used in bioprinting is often called “bio ink” and consists of living cells and material needed to support cell growth and proper tissue structure. The specific mechanical means of this deposition of cells and matrix vary greatly between bioprinters and bioprinting applications. 3D Bioprinting and 4D Bioprinting – Applications and TechnologiesģD bioprinting, a type of additive manufacturing, is the process of creating a three-dimensional (3D) structure by laying down successive sheets of living cells that build upon each other.

3d vs 4d printing