DROP-ON-DEMAND INKJET BIOPRINTING: A PRIMER ∗

Abstract

Engineering complex biological structures for regenerative medicine, in vitro tissue analysis, and pharmaceutical testing require new fabrication techniques that can place specific cells in specific target locations. Conventional cell seeding methods cannot achieve this level of spatial resolution. Biofabrication is a rapidly advancing field that uses a variety of delivery mechanisms to achieve the spatial resolution necessary to place cells, biomaterials, and bioactive macromolecules in specific target locations. One new technique within this field is bioprinting, which uses drop-on-demand delivery mechanisms to fabricate biological structures. This review focuses on drop-on-demand inkjet bioprinting and provides a primer for researchers seeking to enter the field.