New approaches for tissue engineering: three dimensional cell patterning using inkjet technology

Tissues and organs are composed of different types of cells and proteins, which interact and express their respective functions based on their three dimensional (3D) structures. Thus, the position and arrangement of those components including cells are critical for tissue engineering, and it is necessary to develop effective technologies for the arrangement of those materials in 3D space. Inkjet printing technology is able to print with small droplets at high resolution that are nearly equal to microscopic tissue structures. We have attempted to use this technology to print with biological cells instead of standard ink and demonstrated that living cells could be safely ejected with the inkjet procedure. Herein, we briefly introduce and review this new approach of inkjet-based cell patterning, which has good potential as an effective tool for tissue engineering.