How a landmark conference in Philadelphia set the stage for breakthroughs in printing human tissues and organs
Think of the most complex machine you know—perhaps a smartphone or a modern car. Now imagine something infinitely more complex: creating living, functional biological structures. This is the essence of biofabrication, which researchers formally define as "the automated generation of biologically functional products with structural organization from living cells, bioactive molecules, biomaterials, cell aggregates such as microtissues or hybrid cell-material constructs" 2 .
In simpler terms, biofabrication uses advanced manufacturing techniques to arrange living components into precise architectures that can mimic or even replace natural tissues. The field represents a revolutionary convergence of biology, engineering, and material science, creating possibilities that were once confined to the pages of science fiction novels 6 .
The importance of this emerging field was formally recognized when the international research community gathered in Philadelphia from October 4-6, 2010, for the International Conference on Biofabrication (BF2010). This landmark event brought together over 130 leading scientists from 15 countries, making it the largest gathering of the biofabrication community at that time 1 . The research presented there, later published in a special issue of the journal Biofabrication, showcased remarkable advances that would set the research agenda for years to come.
From 15 countries gathered at BF2010
Published in the special issue
The BF2010 conference covered an impressive range of topics, reflecting the interdisciplinary nature of biofabrication itself. The research presented fell into several key areas, each pushing the boundaries of what was scientifically possible 1 :
| Research Focus | Description | Examples Presented |
|---|---|---|
| Bioprinting Technologies | Methods for precisely depositing living cells and biological materials | Inkjet printing, bioplotting, laser-assisted printing |
| Tissue & Disease Models | Creating biological structures to study health and disease | Drug testing models, "organ-on-a-chip" systems |
| Tissue Engineering | Developing substitutes for damaged tissues and organs | Bone, cartilage, and vascular grafts |
| Bio-Microfabrication | Combining biological and electronic components at tiny scales | Bio-nano fabrication, integrated systems |
| Process Design & Evaluation | Computer modeling and quality control for biological constructs | Computer-aided design, simulation of tissue growth |
| Industry Applications | Translating laboratory research into practical solutions | Drug delivery systems, commercial applications |
One of the most significant milestones of the conference was the launch of the International Society of Biofabrication (ISBF), a scientific nonprofit organization established to promote advances in biofabrication research and applications. As the conference organizers noted, the society's core purpose was to "foster scientific and technological innovation and excellence for the benefit of humanity" through enhanced collaboration between different disciplines 1 .
The special issue following BF2010 featured 15 groundbreaking papers that represented the cutting edge of biofabrication research. These studies demonstrated the incredible creativity of scientists working in this field:
Developed a innovative system for fabricating three-dimensional hybrid scaffolds using a multi-head deposition system based on additive manufacturing technology. Their approach combined synthetic biomaterials with natural hydrogels to create structures that better mimic the natural cellular environment 1 .
Introduced a custom-made "Inkjet 3D bioprinter" that could construct semi-solid hydrogel structures in liquid medium using living cells as building materials. Their technology represented a significant step toward printing complex biological structures 1 .
Developed a "cell deposition microscope" capable of producing high-resolution patterns of different cell types. Their system allowed for on-stage incubation, enabling long-term study of how these carefully arranged cells developed and interacted 1 .
Combined cell-printing and microfabrication techniques to create a microfluidic system for studying drug conversion and radiation protection of living liver tissue analogs. Their work demonstrated how biofabrication could accelerate drug development and safety testing 1 .
What made these studies particularly remarkable was their interdisciplinary approach, combining insights from biology, materials science, engineering, and medicine to solve complex challenges in tissue engineering and regenerative medicine.
Among the exciting research presented at BF2010, one study particularly exemplifies the innovative spirit of biofabrication: the development of three-dimensional hybrid scaffolds by researchers from POSTECH, Korea. This experiment addressed one of the most significant challenges in tissue engineering—creating structures that provide both the mechanical support of synthetic materials and the biological compatibility of natural substances 1 .
The process began with computer-aided design (CAD) to create a precise blueprint of the desired three-dimensional scaffold architecture, including its intricate internal pore structure essential for nutrient diffusion and cell migration 1 .
The researchers prepared both synthetic biomaterials and natural hydrogel components. The synthetic materials provided structural integrity, while the natural hydrogel components offered a more biologically compatible environment for cells 1 .
Using a Multi-Head Deposition System (MHDS) based on additive manufacturing technology, the team precisely deposited alternating layers of synthetic polymers and natural hydrogels, building the scaffold layer by layer with meticulous precision 1 .
The synthetic and natural components were integrated into a cohesive structure through carefully controlled chemical and physical cross-linking processes, ensuring the stability of the final construct 1 .
The resulting hybrid scaffolds were characterized using various imaging and analysis techniques to verify their structural properties, mechanical strength, and biocompatibility 1 .
The experiment successfully demonstrated that hybrid scaffolds could be fabricated with controlled architecture and material composition. The integration of synthetic biomaterials with natural hydrogels created an environment that better mimicked the natural extracellular matrix found in living tissues—a crucial factor for cell adhesion, growth, and function 1 .
| Scaffold Type | Advantages | Limitations |
|---|---|---|
| Synthetic Only | Controlled degradation, tunable mechanical properties | Lacks natural biological signals |
| Natural Only | Innate biocompatibility, biological recognition | Limited mechanical strength, variable properties |
| Hybrid Approach | Combines advantages of both, better mimics natural tissue | More complex fabrication process |
This hybrid approach represented significant progress beyond earlier scaffold technologies, which typically used either synthetic or natural materials alone, but not both in an integrated structure. As the BF2010 special issue editors noted, this work exemplified how additive manufacturing technologies were revolutionizing tissue engineering by enabling unprecedented control over scaffold architecture and composition 1 .
The implications of this research extend far beyond the laboratory. Such hybrid scaffolds could potentially be used to repair or replace damaged bone, cartilage, and other tissues, offering new hope for patients needing regenerative therapies. Moreover, the technology could be adapted to create more accurate human tissue models for drug testing, potentially reducing the need for animal testing and accelerating the development of new medications 6 .
The research presented at BF2010 relied on a diverse array of specialized technologies and materials that form the foundation of biofabrication. These tools enable scientists to work with biological materials in ways that were previously impossible.
| Tool/Material | Function in Biofabrication | Specific Examples |
|---|---|---|
| Hydrogels | Water-swollen polymer networks that mimic natural tissue environment; can encapsulate cells | Alginate, gelatin-methacrylate (GelMA), hyaluronic acid |
| Biomaterials | Synthetic or natural materials that support cell growth and tissue development | Polylactic acid, polyglycolic acid, fibrin, collagen |
| Bioprinting Technologies | Enable precise deposition of cells and materials in 3D space | Inkjet bioprinting, microextrusion, laser-assisted bioprinting |
| Support Materials | Provide temporary structural support during fabrication process | Gelatin slurries, carbomer microparticles, self-healing hydrogels |
| Crosslinking Methods | Stabilize fabricated structures through chemical or physical bonds | Ionic crosslinking, photopolymerization, enzymatic conjugation |
Each of these tools addresses specific challenges in biofabrication. For instance, hydrogels must carefully balance multiple requirements: they need to be supportive enough to maintain structure yet permeable enough to allow nutrient flow; they must be compatible with living cells while also being processable using biofabrication equipment 6 .
The development of supramolecular materials—which can self-assemble through reversible non-covalent bonds—represents a particular advancement, as these materials can be designed to have self-healing properties and the ability to respond to biological signals 6 .
Similarly, the evolution of support materials has been crucial for advancing biofabrication capabilities. Early biofabrication techniques struggled with printing complex, delicate structures that would collapse under their own weight during the fabrication process.
Newer classes of support materials, such as yield-stress hydrogels and granular microgels, can temporarily support these structures during printing then be easily removed afterward, enabling the creation of much more complex biological architectures 6 .
More than a decade after BF2010, the research directions showcased at that conference continue to influence the field of biofabrication. The International Society of Biofabrication launched during the conference has grown into an established organization that continues to promote advances in the field through international collaboration 1 . The journal Biofabrication, which published the special issue featuring the conference research, has become a leading venue for cutting-edge research in the field .
The ongoing work in biofabrication has progressively addressed the complex challenges of creating functional biological structures. While early research focused primarily on creating relatively simple tissue constructs, current work aims to recreate more complex architectures with integrated vascular networks and multiple cell types—closer approximations of natural tissues and organs 6 .
The field has also expanded beyond medical applications to include areas such as drug screening, disease modeling, and even the development of biological sensors 3 .
Perhaps most importantly, BF2010 and the research it showcased helped solidify biofabrication as a distinct, interdisciplinary field with its own methodologies, terminologies, and research priorities. The conference provided a platform for researchers from diverse backgrounds to exchange ideas and form collaborations that would drive the field forward in the coming years 1 .
As we look to the future, the principles and technologies demonstrated at BF2010 continue to evolve. Researchers are now working toward ever more complex biological constructs, with the ultimate goal of creating functional tissues and organs for transplantation. The dream of being able to "print" replacement body parts on demand—once confined to science fiction—is inching closer to reality thanks to the foundational work showcased over those three days in Philadelphia in 2010.
As Professor Makoto Nakamura announced at the closing ceremony of BF2010, beckoning attendees to the following year's conference in Toyama, the international community of biofabrication researchers continues to grow and collaborate, bringing us closer to a future where the fabrication of biological structures becomes a routine part of medicine 1 .