3D bioprinting: an emerging technology full of opportunities and challenges

Three-dimensional (3D) printing is a novel promising technology based on 3D imaging and layer-by-layer additive fabrication. It has a profound influence on all aspects of our lives and is playing an increasing important role in many areas including engineering, manufacturing, art, education and medicine. "3D bioprinting" has been put forward with the technical progress in 3D printing and might be a possible way to solve the serious problem of human organ shortage in tissue engineering and regenerative medicine. Many research groups flung them into this area and have already made some gratifying achievements. However, it is a long way to fabricate a live organ. Many elements lead to the limitation of 3D bioprinting. This review introduces the background and development history of 3D bioprinting, compares different approaches of 3D bioprinting and illustrates the key factors of the printing process. Meanwhile, this review also points out existing challenges of 3D bioprinting and has a great prospect. Some points proposed in this review might be served as reference for the research of this field.