Effects of hydrogel properties and extrusion parameters on 3D bioprinting

In recent years, advances in tissue engineering have brought about the development of 3D bioprinting. By encapsulating cells within a biomaterial for three-dimensional extrusion, this efficient and integrated biofabrication method overcomes the limitations of two-dimensional cell culture, allows for the study of complex cell interactions in a physiologically relevant microenvironment and is a promising stepping stone to the functional replacement of lost or damaged tissue. Despite efforts to improve the cytocompatibility of the extruded biomaterial and to induce specific tissue formation upon extrusion, the effects of hydrogel properties on the extruded construct have been poorly characterized. Here, we assess the impact of various parameters, including biomaterial composition, computer-designed structure and printing speed, on the structural integrity, stress distribution and resolution of the extruded construct.