Chapter 16 - Nanotechnology and 3D/4D Bioprinting for Neural Tissue Regeneration

Abstract

Nanotechnology as a versatile vehicle to create biomimetic nanostructured tissue engineered neural scaffolds provides great potential for the development of innovative and successful nerve grafts. Nanostructured conduits derived from traditional and novel tissue engineering techniques have been shown to be superior for successful neural function construction due to a high degree of biomimetic characteristics. Meanwhile, 3D bioprinting and emerging 4D bioprinting tissue manufacturing technologies have attracted increasing interest for neural tissue engineering applications. 3D bioprinting can be used to fabricate biocompatible and bioactive scaffolds with precise control of spatially distributed cells and biomaterials to better address the complex nature of neural tissue. Physiologically relevant morphology with microstructural cues can be readily designed and fabricated through computer-aided design to better meet specific patient’s needs. 4D bioprinting endows the stimuli-responsive capacity to 3D-printed structures, shedding a new avenue in the application of tissue regeneration. This chapter focuses on the developments in nanotechnology and advanced 3D/4D bioprinting as they are applied to neural tissue engineering. We will discuss nanobiomaterials and 3D/4D bioprinting techniques for the fabrication of biomimetic neural scaffolds in expediting neural tissue regeneration.