Page 72 - IJB-7-2

RESEARCH ARTICLE

Bioinks for 3D Bioprinting: A Scientometric Analysis of

Two Decades of Progress

Sara Cristina Pedroza-González , Marisela Rodriguez-Salvador , Baruc Emet Pérez-Benítez ,
1,2
3
3
Mario Moisés Alvarez *, Grissel Trujillo-de Santiago *
1,2
1,4
1 Centro de Biotecnología-FEMSA, Tecnologico de Monterrey, Monterrey, NL, 64849, Mexico
2 Departamento de Ingeniería Mecatrónica y Eléctrica, Escuela de Ingeniería y Ciencias, Tecnologico de Monterrey,
Monterrey, NL, 64849, Mexico
3 Tecnologico de Monterrey, Escuela de Ingenieria y Ciencias, Monterrey, NL, 64849, Mexico
4 Departamento de Bioingeniería, Escuela de Ingeniería y Ciencias, Tecnologico de Monterrey, Monterrey, NL, Mexico
64849

Abstract: This scientometric analysis of 393 original papers published from January 2000 to June 2019 describes the
development and use of bioinks for 3D bioprinting. The main trends for bioink applications and the primary considerations
guiding the selection and design of current bioink components (i.e., cell types, hydrogels, and additives) were reviewed. The
cost, availability, practicality, and basic biological considerations (e.g., cytocompatibility and cell attachment) are the most
popular parameters guiding bioink use and development. Today, extrusion bioprinting is the most widely used bioprinting
technique. The most reported use of bioinks is the generic characterization of bioink formulations or bioprinting technologies
(32%), followed by cartilage bioprinting applications (16%). Similarly, the cell-type choice is mostly generic, as cells are
typically used as models to assess bioink formulations or new bioprinting methodologies rather than to fabricate specific
tissues. The cell-binding motif arginine-glycine-aspartate is the most common bioink additive. Many articles reported the
development of advanced functional bioinks for specific biomedical applications; however, most bioinks remain the basic
compositions that meet the simple criteria: Manufacturability and essential biological performance. Alginate and gelatin
methacryloyl are the most popular hydrogels that meet these criteria. Our analysis suggests that present-day bioinks still
represent a stage of emergence of bioprinting technology.

Keywords: Bioinks; Bioprinting; Scientometrics; Tissue engineering; Organ

*Correspondence to: Grissel Trujillo-de Santiago, Centro de Biotecnología-FEMSA, Tecnologico de Monterrey, Monterrey, NL, Mexico 64849;
grissel@tec.mx; Mario Moisés Alvarez, Centro de Biotecnología-FEMSA, Tecnologico de Monterrey, Monterrey, NL, 64849, Mexico;
mario.alvarez@tec.mx
Received: January 4, 2021; Accepted: February 4, 2021; Published Online: April 20, 2021

Citation: Pedroza-González SC, Rodriguez-Salvador M, Pérez-Benítez BE, et al., 2021, Bioinks for 3D Bioprinting: A
Scientometric Analysis of Two Decades of Progress. Int J Bioprint, 7(2):337. http://doi.org/10.18063/ijb.v7i2.337

1. Introduction platforms for drug screening, drug development, and
personalized therapies. [5,7]
Bioprinting is a growing technology [1,2] that promises The goal of 3D bioprinting is to manufacture living
a future in which patients in need will have access to volumetric constructs by depositing a material containing
3D-printed tissues and organs that can substitute those living cells (i.e., a bioink) in a layer-by-layer fashion [6,8,9] .
lost or damaged [3,4] . Bioprinting has already enabled A bioink is composed of living cells that may contain
the fabrication of small units of tissues and organs that other elements, such as a water-rich polymer network
recapitulate some functions of their native counterparts [5,6] . and functional additives (i.e., molecules or particles)
These mini-tissues and organoids have also proven associated with the intended application . The bioink
[10]
useful as in vitro models for basic research and as testing is so central to the concept of bioprinting that it is the
© 2021 Pedroza-González, et al. This is an Open Access article distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial 4.0
International License (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc/4.0/), permitting all non-commercial use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium,
provided the original work is properly cited.
68