Chapter 14 - Hydrogels for 3D Bioprinting Applications

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Abstract

Hydrogels are highly hydrated polymeric networks used in tissue engineering to homogenously encapsulate cells and other biological molecules. This class of biomaterials is of particular interest because of their structural similarity to a cell’s natural extracellular matrix. Hydrogels can be derived from various sources, including natural and synthesized derivatives. Hydrogels can be induced to quickly solidify using a number of methods to introduce cross-links and covalent bonding between polymer strands. Due to their high biocompatibility and processability, hydrogels have become the choice medium to pattern cells in a volumetric space using three-dimensional (3D) bioprinting, an additive manufacturing process that deposits biomaterials in a layer-by-layer fashion to fabricate a 3D tissue construct. In this chapter, we will review important general principles that make a hydrogel useful for bioprinting, followed by a discussion of the specific hydrogels used for bioprinting applications.

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