Combining additive manufacturing with microfluidics: an emerging method for developing novel organs-on-chips

Abstract

Additive manufacturing (AM) or 3D printing is an ideal technology for building flexible, complex, monolithic devices. Organs-on-chips (OOCs) are biomimetic microsystems that recapitulate the crucial structures and functions of human organs. Organ-level activities, mechanics and physiological response can be stimulated and investigated in OOCs. Convergence of AM technology along with OOCs offers a more efficient route for creating complex organ or tissue structures with precise 3D cell patterning, biomaterial heterogeneity and specific functionalities. Here, we focus on the recent advances in the field, specifically in the fabrication modalities, materials and characterization methods, which are commonly employed for OOCs based on 3D bioprinting. We also discuss the most significant potential applications from integrating 3D bioprinting with OOCs, aiming to provide future strategies for more efficient, automated, modularly integrated, and customizable OOCs.