About this Research Topic
In recent years, three-dimensional (3D) cell printing technology has emerged as a new method for tissue manufacturing and engineering. It shows potential for creating complex tissue constructs by precisely depositing biological factors and cell-laden hydrogels in a layer-by-layer manner. Moreover, this additive manufacturing technique has been used to fabricate organoids and organs-on-a-chip for ex vivo biomedical research and drug discovery. Bio-ink is usually a hydrogel, and its related research is a core area of 3D cell printing. Several types of natural and synthetic materials have been widely used to create bio-inks, including alginate, gelatin, collagen, cellulose, polyethylene glycol, and their hybrids. These bio-inks feature good printability and cytocompatibility. The biochemical and biophysical properties of bio-ink play an important role in the extension, proliferation, differentiation, and migration of the cells encased in it. Moreover, the cell will have an effect on the bio-ink around it.
This 3D culture system is totally different from the 2D culture system. The spatial positional relationship between cells and bio-ink is similar to the relationship between cells and 3D-matrix in tissues. So, this 3D cell culture system is more bionic and can better simulate the physiological or pathological microenvironment of cells or the extracellular matrix. The goal of this research topic is not only to investigate how the biochemical and biophysical properties of different bio-inks contribute to the extension, proliferation, differentiation and migration of the cells encased in them, but also to study how could the cells have a reverse effect on the surrounding hydrogel.
As well as Original Research, the editors welcome the submission of Brief Research Reports, Reviews, and Mini-Reviews focusing on, but not limited to, the following sub-topics:
• The influence of the viscosity or modulus of bio-ink on the spreading of 3D printed cells
• Mechanisms of interaction forces between bio-ink and the cells encapsulated in it
• The influence of the viscosity or modulus of bio-ink on the migration of 3D printed cells
• The shrinkage and expansion of the 3D printed tissues is caused by the forces from the cells encapsulated within it
• Exploring the roles of the physical features of different ECM microenvironments (bio-ink) and the bidirectional regulation of cell signaling and matrix organization
• The crosstalk between different layers of printed cells
• Matrix remodeling and confinement by the printed cells.
This 3D culture system is totally different from the 2D culture system. The spatial positional relationship between cells and bio-ink is similar to the relationship between cells and 3D-matrix in tissues. So, this 3D cell culture system is more bionic and can better simulate the physiological or pathological microenvironment of cells or the extracellular matrix. The goal of this research topic is not only to investigate how the biochemical and biophysical properties of different bio-inks contribute to the extension, proliferation, differentiation and migration of the cells encased in them, but also to study how could the cells have a reverse effect on the surrounding hydrogel.
As well as Original Research, the editors welcome the submission of Brief Research Reports, Reviews, and Mini-Reviews focusing on, but not limited to, the following sub-topics:
• The influence of the viscosity or modulus of bio-ink on the spreading of 3D printed cells
• Mechanisms of interaction forces between bio-ink and the cells encapsulated in it
• The influence of the viscosity or modulus of bio-ink on the migration of 3D printed cells
• The shrinkage and expansion of the 3D printed tissues is caused by the forces from the cells encapsulated within it
• Exploring the roles of the physical features of different ECM microenvironments (bio-ink) and the bidirectional regulation of cell signaling and matrix organization
• The crosstalk between different layers of printed cells
• Matrix remodeling and confinement by the printed cells.
Keywords: 3D cell printing, 3D cell culture, organoids, cell–matrix interactions, cellular spreading, cellular migration, cell crosstalk, cells and bio-ink interaction
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