The Development Frontier of 3D Printing - the Brain-like Tissue Printing

Lacking knowledge of the complex structure of brain tissue has limited the progress of the brain disease study. Due to the difficulty of reserving human brain tissue in-vitro and the related ethical issues, the functional and pharmacological research on brain disease are majorly dependent on animal tests. However, the species difference can lead to failure of the pharmacological application in medical clinic. Therefore, brain-like tissue constructed via tissue engineering methodology in-vitro might be a good way out. The complex macro-/micr-structure of natural brain tissue has been reviewed, and the significance on construction of brain-like tissue by using 3D printing technology and the associated challenges are emphasized. Moreover, based on a thorough review of current status of brain-like tissue reconstruction in-vitro including the methodology and limitation, a new concept and methodology of manufacturing system by integrating the 3D printing process and culturing process has been developed. This integrated system can stimulate cell growth and tissue functionalization compared to the traditional methodologies.