Advanced Biofabrication Techniques and Applications
Expert-defined terms from the Postgraduate Certificate in Biofabrication Fabrication course at Stanmore School of Business. Free to read, free to share, paired with a globally recognised certification pathway.
3D Bioprinting #
3D Bioprinting
Concept #
3D bioprinting is a type of additive manufacturing that uses biological materials, such as cells, growth factors, and biomaterials, to create functional living tissues and organs.
Explanation #
3D bioprinting involves the layering of biomaterials, such as hydrogels, to create a 3D structure that can support cell growth and differentiation. This process allows for the creation of complex tissue structures, such as blood vessels, skin, and even organs, that can be used for drug testing, tissue engineering, and regenerative medicine.
Biofabrication #
Biofabrication
Concept #
Biofabrication is the process of creating complex living structures using biological materials and advanced technologies.
Explanation #
Biofabrication involves the use of various technologies, such as 3D bioprinting, microfluidics, and bioreactors, to create functional living tissues and organs. This field has the potential to revolutionize medicine by providing personalized, functional tissue replacements for patients in need.
Bioink #
Bioink
Concept #
Bioink is a printable biological material that is used in 3D bioprinting to create living structures.
Explanation #
Bioink is typically made up of a hydrogel, cells, and other biological factors that support cell growth and differentiation. The properties of the bioink, such as viscosity and printability, are carefully controlled to ensure the creation of functional living structures.
Bioreactor #
Bioreactor
Concept #
A bioreactor is a device that is used to culture and maintain living cells or tissues in a controlled environment.
Explanation #
Bioreactors are used to provide the necessary nutrients, oxygen, and growth factors to cells, allowing them to grow and differentiate into functional tissues. These devices can be used to culture a variety of cell types, including stem cells, and are an essential tool in the field of tissue engineering and biofabrication.
Cell Culture #
Cell Culture
Concept #
Cell culture is the process of growing cells in a controlled environment outside of a living organism.
Explanation #
Cell culture is a critical step in the process of biofabrication, as it allows for the expansion and differentiation of cells prior to their use in the creation of living structures. This process can be done in a variety of ways, including 2D culture on flat surfaces, 3D culture in scaffolds, or suspension culture in bioreactors.
Decellularization #
Decellularization
Concept #
Decellularization is the process of removing cells from a tissue or organ, leaving behind only the extracellular matrix (ECM).
Explanation #
Decellularization is used to create acellular scaffolds that can be used for tissue engineering and biofabrication. The ECM provides a natural 3D structure for cells to grow and differentiate on, and can be obtained from a variety of sources, including animal tissues and human donors.
Extracellular Matrix (ECM) #
Extracellular Matrix (ECM)
Concept #
The extracellular matrix (ECM) is the non-cellular component of tissues and organs that provides structural support and regulates cell behavior.
Explanation #
The ECM is made up of a variety of proteins, carbohydrates, and other molecules that provide a scaffold for cells to grow and differentiate on. The ECM can be obtained from a variety of sources, including animal tissues and human donors, and can be used as a natural scaffold for tissue engineering and biofabrication.
Hydrogel #
Hydrogel
Concept #
A hydrogel is a cross-linked polymer network that is capable of absorbing and retaining large amounts of water.
Explanation #
Hydrogels are commonly used in 3D bioprinting as a bioink, as they provide a 3D structure that can support cell growth and differentiation. The properties of the hydrogel, such as viscosity and gelation time, can be carefully controlled to ensure the creation of functional living structures.
Laser #
Assisted Bioprinting (LAB)
Concept #
Laser-assisted bioprinting (LAB) is a type of 3D bioprinting that uses a laser to deposit biological materials onto a substrate.
Explanation #
LAB uses a laser to ablate a donor substrate, releasing a droplet of bioink that is then deposited onto a receiving substrate. This method allows for the precise deposition of biological materials, making it ideal for the creation of complex tissue structures.
Microfluidics #
Microfluidics
Concept #
Microfluidics is the manipulation of fluids at the microscale.
Explanation #
Microfluidics is used in biofabrication to control the flow and distribution of biological materials, such as cells and growth factors. This technology allows for the precise control of the microenvironment, enabling the creation of complex tissue structures.
Scaffold #
Scaffold
Concept #
A scaffold is a 3D structure that provides support for cell growth and differentiation.
Explanation #
Scaffolds can be made from a variety of materials, including natural and synthetic polymers, and can be used to create a variety of tissue structures, such as bone, cartilage, and skin. Scaffolds can be pre-seeded with cells or can be used as an acellular structure for cells to grow and differentiate on.
Stem Cells #
Stem Cells
Concept #
Stem cells are undifferentiated cells that have the ability to differentiate into a variety of cell types.
Explanation #
Stem cells are an important tool in the field of tissue engineering and biofabrication, as they can be used to create a variety of tissue types. These cells can be obtained from a variety of sources, including embryos, adult tissues, and induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSCs).
Stereolithography (SLA) #
Stereolithography (SLA)
Concept #
Stereolithography (SLA) is a type of 3D printing that uses a laser to cure a photosensitive resin, layer by layer, to create a 3D object.
Explanation #
SLA is a popular method for creating 3D scaffolds for tissue engineering and biofabrication, as it allows for the creation of complex, high-resolution structures. This method can be used to create both acellular and cell-laden scaffolds.
Tissue Engineering #
Tissue Engineering
Concept #
Tissue engineering is the use of biological materials, cells, and engineering principles to create functional living tissues and organs.
Explanation #
Tissue engineering involves the use of various technologies, such as 3D bioprinting, microfluidics, and bioreactors, to create functional living tissues and organs. This field has the potential to revolutionize medicine by providing personalized, functional tissue replacements for patients in need.
Biocompatibility #
Biocompatibility
Concept #
Biocompatibility is the ability of a material to perform with an appropriate host response in a specific application.
Explanation #
Biocompatibility is an essential property of any material used in tissue engineering and biofabrication, as it ensures that the material will not elicit an adverse response from the host tissue.
Biodegradability #
Biodegradability
Concept #
Biodegradability is the ability of a material to be broken down by biological processes.
Explanation #
Biodegradability is an important property of any material used in tissue engineering and biofabrication, as it ensures that the material will be