Laser-based cell printing techniques for additive biomanufacturing

Additive manufacturing guided by computer-aided technologies has enabled new possibilities in tissue engineering. Laser-based cell printing techniques are at the forefront due to the ability to deposit single cells with high accuracy and reproducibility (1 cell, +/-2 mu m, 500 cells/sec). Engineered tissue constructs can now be fabricated by layered manufacturing with single cell precision and complete heterogeneous fidelity. As such, researchers are taking aim at fundamental challenges within tissue engineering, including vascularization. Laser direct write techniques are being utilized to fabricate vasculature and investigate vascular interactions with the goal to produce larger tissue substitutes that to this point have been restricted by nutrient flow (<500 mu m). This review discusses the recent advancements in laser-based cell printing techniques, their applications, and how they seek to address the vascularization issue.