Research Information System
Biomedical Materials and Devices, 2026 (Scopus)
Three-dimensional (3D) bioprinting has emerged as a transformative technology for the fabrication of patient-specific tissue constructs, yet the successful translation of this technology relies heavily on the judicious selection of biomaterials. This study presents a comparative evaluation of natural and synthetic polymers, focusing on their mechanical properties, degradation behavior, crosslinking mechanisms, and printability profiles, as summarized in Table 3. Natural hydrogels such as methacrylated gelatin (GelMA) and alginate exhibit excellent biocompatibility but limited mechanical stability, making them suitable for applications requiring rapid cell infiltration and matrix remodeling, including vascular grafts and skin constructs. Conversely, synthetic thermoplastics like polycaprolactone (PCL) provide long-term mechanical integrity for load-bearing applications such as bone and cartilage repair, albeit with minimal intrinsic bioactivity. Intermediate systems, exemplified by polyethylene glycol diacrylate (PEGDA) hydrogels, offer tunable stiffness and degradation rates, bridging the functional gap between soft hydrogels and rigid thermoplastics. By integrating material properties with the specific operational requirements of extrusion-based and light-assisted printing techniques, this work highlights the importance of matching viscosity ranges, shear-thinning behavior, and crosslinking strategies to optimize both print fidelity and biological performance. The findings emphasize the need for next-generation bioinks that combine mechanical robustness, biological functionality, and scalability, paving the way for the clinical realization of functional, vascularized, and patient-tailored tissue constructs.