Bioprinting vs. Biofabrication Definitions
A group of leading researchers coming from the International Society for Biofabrication proposed a refined working definition of Biofabrication, including Bioprinting and Bioassembly as complementary strategies within Biofabrication. This consensus work was published in the Biofabrication Journal in 2016. Biofabrication was then defined as:
the automated generation of biologically functional products with structural organization from living cells, bioactive molecules, biomaterials, cell aggregates such as micro-tissues, or hybrid cell-material constructs, through Bioprinting or Bioassembly and subsequent tissue maturation processes.
The Origin of Bioprinting Definition
Originally formulated at the First International Workshop on Bioprinting and Biopatterning in Manchester, the initial definition focused on “the use of material transfer processes for patterning and assembling biologically relevant materials, molecules, cells, tissues, and biodegradable biomaterials with a prescribed organization to accomplish one or more biological functions”.
Fabien Guillemot, a researcher at INSERM and Université of Bordeaux, co-organized the International Conference on Bioprinting and Biofabrication (3B’09) in Bordeaux in 2009, France. This event highlighted the rapid growth and consolidation of the bioprinting field. In this context, based on the discussions and evolution within the scientific community, Guillemot in collaboration with Drs. Makoto Nakamura (Japan) and Vladimir Mironov (USA) proposed an expanded, comprehensive definition to reflect the integration of new technologies and applications, which was published in the Biofabrication Journal. Bioprinting can be defined as:
The use of computer-aided transfer processes for patterning and assembling living and non-living materials with a prescribed 2D or 3D organization in order to produce bio-engineered structures serving in regenerative medicine, pharmacokinetic and basic cell biology studies.
This definition, retained as the definition for Bioprinting in above-mentioned consensus paper on Biofabrication, emphasizes several key elements:
- Computer-Aided Processes: Highlighting the crucial role of computer science in the design of 3D structures as well as in the control of the manufacturing process.
- Living and Non-Living Materials: Explicitly including the assembly of both cellular components and non-living materials, and not only inert materials like for 3D Printing methods.
- Broad Applications: Acknowledging the field’s service not only to regenerative medicine but also to pharmacokinetic and basic cell biology studies. The use of bioprinting technology for the biofabrication of in vitro assays was recognized as a realistic short-term application.
Key Technological Focus Areas at the International Conference on Bioprinting and Biofabrication
The scientific program for 3B’09, which Guillemot helped establish, emphasized the interconnectedness of several domains essential for advanced bioprinting applications:
- Core Bioprinting Technologies: Including ink-jet, extrusion, and laser-based methods. Guillemot’s own work and group presented a series of talks dealing with experimental and modeling approaches of Laser-Assisted Bioprinting (LAB).
- Biomaterial and Bioink Properties: Recognizing the need for new, more effective, and biocompatible biomaterials that influence cell fate.
- Rapid Prototyping and Modeling: The integration of reverse-engineering, rapid prototyping, and sophisticated mathematical modeling is considered critical for predicting post-printing tissue remodeling and achieving real applications.
- Basic Cell Biology: Connecting developmental biology with tissue engineering.
