On-a-chip bioprinting a musculoskeletal tissue microenvironment for modelling tumour disemination and drug evaluation

Abstract

In recent years, three-dimensional (3D) bioprinting has emerged as a highly promising technology for the development of disease models and microtissues. The fundamental principle of this technology and its ultimate goal is the fabrication of three-dimensional artificial tissues that can accurately replicate the natural biological microenvironments of native tissues. This is achieved through the use of a wide variety of biomaterials loaded with living cells, commonly referred to as bioinks, which enable the controlled deposition of complex structures layer by layer, ensuring that each component of the microtissue maintains its functional and structural integrity. These microtissue models can also be integrated into microfluidic systems, allowing cell expansion and growth, as well as the in vitro generation of functional organ parts. This represents a significant advance compared with traditional two-dimensional (2D) cell culture approaches, while also providing a more reliable experimental framework for comparative studies across different cell types and conditions.