Biofabricated three-dimensional tissue models

Three-dimensional (3D) bioprinting has emerged as an attractive new technology to fabricate complex tissue models by the precise positioning of biomaterials, biochemicals, and cells in space. In particular, 3D bioprinting carries the advantage of being able to fabricate structures on the order of tens of nanometers to centimeters in scale, consisting of multiple cell types and biomaterials that recapitulate the in vivo milieu. The constructs made using this technology have served as important vehicles for modeling disease progression, human development, and drug efficacy, with potential for in vivo therapeutics. The techniques discussed in this chapter have been applied to numerous tissues and disease models including brain, nerve, cancer, cardiac muscle, liver, and vasculature among others. In this chapter, we will explore the recent advances in 3D fabrication techniques using 3D bioprinters as well as the fundamental considerations when designing and fabricating 3D tissue models. The goal of this chapter is to reveal the strengths and limitations of current 3D biofabrication technologies, as well as highlight future directions within the field in order to create more functional and physiologically relevant personalized tissue models.