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International Journal of Bioprinting Evolution of bioprinting

Figure 4. Relevant milestones in the evolution of bioprinting. 1998: cell growth on prefabricated 3D structure. 2000: methodologies based on nanodepositions
with syringes. 2003: approach of joining cells with hydrogels to form organs. 2004: emergence of the term “bioprinting.” 2006: encapsulation of cells in
hydrogels. 2009: drug binding and bioprinting. 2012: bioprinting of heart tissue. 2013: bioprinting of human ear with coil. 2014: bioprinting with HeLa
cells for tumor studies. 2015: bioprinting of brain-like structures with encapsulated primary neurons. 2016: development of integrated organ and tissue
bioprinter. 2017: bioprinting of functional thyroid gland and ovarian tissue in mice. 2019: bioprinting of biomimetic scaffolds that en able regeneration of
damaged axons in the spinal cord of mice. 2020: the start of 4D bioprinting, whereby bioprinted elements can change after reacting with the environment.

tissue units are designed and then allowed to self- 3D printing and high-throughput techniques can
assemble into a functional macrotissue. Examples not only improve the product model, but also reduce
of these approaches include the self-assembly of the manufacturing time, production cost, and time to
vascular building blocks to form branched vascular market [110] . This is achieved by including 3D-bioprinted
networks [109] . tissue models for high-throughput drug testing [111] . Such

In order to be able to reproduce different tissues or 3D-bioprinted tissues allow for the most accurate possible
organs to be developed, it is essential to have a perfect recreation of the target organ on which the drugs will act,
understanding of the organization and interaction of simulating in vitro response to drug administration and
their components. Medical imaging technology provides allowing for faster assessment of the results obtained.
information on the 3D structure and its functioning at the Through the integration of 3D in vitro cell culture models
cellular, tissue, organ, and organism levels. This knowledge with cell lines, advances such as microfluidic devices
helps to determine the optimal parameters and conditions and tissues and organs on a chip have been launched to
for bioprinting each type of tissue so that it survives to recapitulate the biological properties and functions of
[112]
perform its functions, making it increasingly easier to native human tissues, organs, and circulation .
recreate and mimic the tissues to perfection so that they
can be transplanted in organisms. 4.3. Study of infectious diseases
Infectious diseases have traditionally been treated with
4.2. Pharmacokinetic studies antibiotics, anti-fungals, and anti-virals when the host’s
The manufacturing process for medicines can be lengthy, immune system is incapable of fighting off the infection
as there are multiple steps from laboratory-based on its own. Therefore, understanding the host response
investigations to commercial exploitation that can delay to pathogen entry as well as the different interactions
marketing a product and make the process more expensive. that occur between the host and the pathogen is key

Volume 9 Issue 4 (2023) 374 https://doi.org/10.18063/ijb.742