Holographic Optical Tweezing Bioprinting (HOTB): Towards precise manipulation of cells for artificial multi-scaled vascularized tissues/organ printing.

Introduction

Because current limitations in 3D bioprinting for tissue engineering stem from the fact that the multi-scaled vasculature associated with human microtissues and organs cannot be replicated. The overarching aim of the HOT-BIOPRINTING project is to deliver a methodology enabling the manufacturing of a new generation of tissue-like structures with properties mimicking more closely the complexity of biological tissues and organs.

Innovation

The innovation of HOT-BIOPRINTING lies in the development of a disruptive technology named Holographic Optical Tweezing Bioprinting (HOTB) for single and automatized multiple cell 3D bioprinting. The non-contact nature of light will eliminate the failures in bioprinting associated with instrumentation, which, along with the HOTB capabilities for manipulating single cells for printing, will drive a new paradigm shift: resolution will be dictated by the cell size instead of by the mechanical component of the instrumentation.

Opportunities

This new technological advancement for resolution enhancement while maintaining bioprinting speed using holographic automatization can open new opportunities for the tissue engineering and regenerative medicine community.

General Objectives

I propose the following general objectives that go beyond the state of the art in bioprinting human mimetic tissue:

1. Generate the knowledge and develop a Holographic Optical Tweezer Bioprinter (HOTB) for high-definition single/multiple cell bioprinting.
2. Demonstration and automatization for 3D multicellular printing for large area tissue generation.
3. Overcome the challenges associated with existing biofabrication techniques (limited multi-scaled vascularization and oversimplified structures).
4. Demonstrating lymph-node bioprinting with integrated vasculature.

Conclusion

This represents a big challenge; if achieved, it will revolutionize bioprint technology by increasing tissue complexity and responding to the demand for biofabricating multi-scale vascularized complex tissues and organs.