Objective

The aim of Tissue Engineering is the development of in vitro tissues as alternatives to animal models or as cell-based implants. Therefore, tissue specific cells, scaffolds and signals (culture media, mechanical cues, etc.) are needed to build up in vitro tissue models. A major challenge is the reproduction of complex tissue or even organ specific geometries and structures with the traditional manual protocols. Biofabrication techniques can help to solve to these problems. An increasing number of researchers use bioprinting to build-up human tissue models, which might then be use as human 3D assay system for further screenings. Our focus is on adipose tissue and bone fabricated with gelatin-based bioinks and human primary cells. Additionally, many others and we work on vascularized tissue models that will be reproducible manufactured, to mimic the blood vessel system. After the fabrication of the printed constructs a maturation is necessary which should be maintained under specific culture conditions (e.g. in a bioreactor) to create a real functional tissue models