User:LD2023/3D bioprinting

Lead
Three dimensional (3D) bioprinting is the utilization of 3D printing–like techniques to combine cells, growth factors, and/or biomaterials to fabricate biomedical parts, often with the aim of imitating natural tissue characteristics. 3D bioprinting also has uses in fields such as wastewater treatment, environmental remediation, and corrosion prevention. 3D bioprinting can produce functional biofilms which can assist in a variety of situations. The 3D bioprinted biofilms host functional microorganisms which can facilitate pollutant removal for example. 3D bioprinting can utilize a layer-by-layer method to deposit materials known as bio-inks to create tissue-like structures that are later used in various medical and tissue engineering fields. 3D bioprinting covers a broad range of bioprinting techniques and biomaterials. Currently, bioprinting can be used to print tissue and organ models to help research drugs and potential treatments. Nonetheless, translation of bioprinted living cellular constructs into clinical application is met with several issues due to the complexity and cell number needed to create functional organs. However, innovations span from bioprinting of extracellular matrix to mixing cells with hydrogels deposited layer by layer to produce the desired tissue. In addition, 3D bioprinting has begun to incorporate the printing of scaffolds which can be used to regenerate joints and ligaments.

3D bioprinting biofilms
The bioprinting of biofilms utilizes the same methods as other bioprinting. Often times the biofilm begins with an extrusion of a polysaccharide to provide structure for biofilm growth. An example of one of these polysaccharides is alginate. The alginate structure can have microbes embedded within the structure. Hydrogels can also be used to assist in the formation of functional biofilms. Biofilms are difficult to analyze in a laboratory setting due to the complex structure and the time it takes for a functional biofilm to form. 3D bioprinting biofilms allows us to skip certain processes and makes it easier to analyze functional biofilms. Thickness of the biofilm being printed with change the functionality due to nutrient and oxygen diffusion. Thicker 3D printed biofilms will naturally select for anaerobes for example.

Environmental remediation
Due to an understanding of biofilm remediation there is potential in regards to the use of 3D bioprinted biofilm use in environmental remediation. Microbes are able to degrade a large range of chemicals and metals and providing a structure for these microbes to flourish such as in biofilm structures is beneficial. Artificial biofilms protect the microbes from the dangers of the environment while promoting signaling and overall microbial interactions. 3D bioprinting allows functional microorganisms to be placed in a structure that provides mechanical stability and protects them from environmental conditions. The larger contact area provided by 3D printed structures compared to normal environmental structures provides more efficient removal of pollutants.

Future uses of 3D bioprinting
It also has possible uses in the future in assisting in wastewater treatment and in corrosion control. When humans come in contact with environmental biofilms its possible for infections to occur. Thus, antibiotic penetration and expansion within a biofilm is something we know next to nothing about due to the difficulties in lab grown biofilms but is worthwhile for future research. 3D printing the biofilms can allow for lab scale replaceable research on this. e Both of these areas and more that involve the printing of biofilms require further research due to a large amount of knowledge required and complex technology.