Chapter 8 - 3D bioprinting as a promising alternative to animal models: Technologies and applications

Three-dimensional (3D) bioprinting has emerged as an advanced technology at the intersection of biology, engineering, and materials science, offering unprecedented opportunities for improving healthcare, drug development, and regenerative medicine. This chapter explores core technologies—inkjet, extrusion, light-based systems, and volumetric printing—detailing their mechanisms, bioink requirements, and applications in cancer modeling, drug screening, and regenerative medicine. Natural, synthetic, and decellularized extracellular matrix-based bioinks are analyzed for their biocompatibility, mechanical properties, and ethical considerations, emphasizing the shift toward xeno-free models. Case studies show how bioprinted tissues better mimic human physiology than traditional models, including vascularized constructs and patient-specific disease platforms. Challenges such as scalability, vascular integration, and regulatory hurdles are addressed, alongside emerging innovations like artificial intelligence-driven optimization.