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RESEARCH ARTICLE

Research Dynamics of Tissue Spheroids as Building

Blocks: A Scientometric Analysis

Marisela Rodriguez-Salvador *, Itzel Fox-Miranda , Baruc Emet Perez-Benitez ,
1
1
1
Jose Ricardo Lopez-Robles 2
1 Tecnologico de Monterrey, Escuela de Ingenieria y Ciencias, Monterrey, Nuevo Leon, Mexico
2 Universidad Autónoma de Zacatecas, Zacatecas, Mexico

Abstract: Tissue spheroids represent an innovative solution for tissue engineering and regenerative medicine. They constitute
an in vitro three-dimensional cell culture model capable of mimicking the complex composition of a native tissue on a micro-
scale; this model can function as a building block and be assembled into larger tissue constructs. Due to the potential tissue
spheroids have for the evolution of the health industry, there is a need to assess the research dynamics of this field. Thus far,
there have been no studies on their use as building blocks. To fill this gap, a study was performed to characterize the evolution
of research where tissue spheroids were used as building blocks to generate tissue constructs. A scientometric analysis of the
literature regarding tissue spheroid technologies was developed by quantification of bibliometric performance indicators.
For this purpose, articles published during the period January 1, 2015 – December 31, 2021, from the Scopus database were
organized and analyzed. The main subject areas, countries, cities, journals, institutions, and top-cited articles as well as the
types of techniques, cells, culture time, and principal applications were identified. This research supports the definition and
growth of research and development strategies for new technologies such as tissue spheroids.
Keywords: Tissue spheroids; Biofabrication; Bioassembly; Bioprinting; Scientometrics; Technology intelligence

*Correspondence to: Marisela Rodriguez-Salvador, Tecnologico de Monterrey, Escuela de Ingenieria y Ciencias, Monterrey, Nuevo Leon,
Mexico; marisrod@tec.mx

Received: February 26, 2022; Accepted: May 19, 2022; Published Online: June 29, 2022
Citation: Rodriguez-SalvadorM, Fox-Miranda I, Perez-Benitez BE, et al., 2022, Research Dynamics of Tissue Spheroids as Building Blocks:

A Scientometric Analysis, Int J Bioprint., 8(3): 585. http://doi.org/10.18063/ijb.v8i3.585

1. Introduction the lack of donors for tissue transplantation by generating
tissue constructs that can function properly in terms of
Tissue spheroids are three-dimensional (3D) organized cell differentiation and proliferation .
[6]
clusters of cells that mimic the cellular compositions Within this context, there are two methods for
of tissues . They provide intensive cell-cell contacts, generating tissue spheroids. In the seeding method, tissue
[1]
outstanding regenerative properties, and rapid growth spheroids can be injected or seeded directly. Regardless
useful for high-throughput production. Tissue spheroid of the structural limitations of the final tissue construct,
technologies can be structured at a cellular level in seeding method is the most widely used approach because
native tissue and can be assembled into larger structures, it does not require sophisticated tools for the placement of
preserving the characteristics of native tissue without the tissue spheroids. The alternative method is biofabrication,
constraints of scaffolds [2-4] . which is defined as the automated production of a
Tissue spheroids can represent the nature of tissue on biologically functional construct that incorporates
a micro-scale, serving as a model for drug testing research living cells, bioactive molecules, and biomaterials .
[7]
or functioning as building blocks [1,5] . Tissue spheroids as Biofabrication encompasses bioassembly and bioprinting
building blocks have gained the attention of academia and techniques, which are automated processes that enable
industry, as they can generate customized tissues without the generation of two-dimensional or 3D structures, based
the use of scaffolds. Thus, tissue spheroids could mitigate on a pre-defined pattern or structure [7,8] . The techniques

© 2022 Author(s). This is an Open-Access article distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution License, permitting distribution and
reproduction in any medium, provided the original work is properly cited.
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