Convergence of 3D Bioprinting and Nanotechnology in Tissue Engineering Scaffolds

Three-dimensional (3D) bioprinting has emerged as a promising scaffold fabrication strategy for tissue engineering with excellent control over scaffold geometry and microstructure. Nanobiomaterials as bioinks play a key role in manipulating the cellular microenvironment to alter its growth and development. This review first introduces the commonly used nanomaterials in tissue engineering scaffolds, including natural polymers, synthetic polymers, and polymer derivatives, and reveals the improvement of nanomaterials on scaffold performance. Second, the 3D bioprinting technologies of inkjet-based bioprinting, extrusion-based bioprinting, laser-assisted bioprinting, and stereolithography bioprinting are comprehensively itemized, and the advantages and underlying mechanisms are revealed. Then the convergence of 3D bioprinting and nanotechnology applications in tissue engineering scaffolds, such as bone, nerve, blood vessel, tendon, and internal organs, are discussed. Finally, the challenges and perspectives of convergence of 3D bioprinting and nanotechnology are proposed. This review will provide scientific guidance to develop 3D bioprinting tissue engineering scaffolds by nanotechnology.

Automated summary

Three-dimensional (3D) bioprinting has great potential as a scaffold fabrication strategy for tissue engineering, with precise control over scaffold geometry and microstructure. Nanobiomaterials as bioinks play a crucial role in manipulating the cellular microenvironment to influence growth and development. This review introduces commonly used nanomaterials in tissue engineering scaffolds and discusses their impact on scaffold performance. It also comprehensively outlines different 3D bioprinting technologies and their advantages and mechanisms, and explores the application of 3D bioprinting and nanotechnology in various tissue engineering scaffolds. Furthermore, the challenges and future perspectives of the convergence of 3D bioprinting and nanotechnology are proposed. This review provides scientific guidance for developing 3D bioprinting tissue engineering scaffolds using nanotechnology.