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Review
. 2024 Oct;42(10):1230-1240.
doi: 10.1016/j.tibtech.2024.03.004. Epub 2024 Apr 24.

Physical-property-based patterning: simply engineering complex tissues

Hannah M Zlotnick  1 , Molly M Stevens  2 , Robert L Mauck  3
Affiliations
Review

Physical-property-based patterning: simply engineering complex tissues

Hannah M Zlotnick et al. Trends Biotechnol. 2024 Oct.

Abstract

The field of biofabrication is rapidly expanding with the advent of new technologies and material systems to engineer complex tissues. In this opinion article, we introduce an emerging tissue patterning method, physical-property-based patterning, that has strong translational potential given its simplicity and limited dependence on external hardware. Physical-property-based patterning relies solely on the intrinsic density, magnetic susceptibility, or compressibility of an object, its surrounding solution, and the noncontact application of a remote field. We discuss how physical properties can be exploited to pattern objects and design a variety of biologic tissues. Finally, we pose several open questions that, if addressed, could transform the status quo of biofabrication, pushing us one step closer to patterning tissues in situ.

Keywords: compressibility; density; magnetic susceptibility; physical-property-based patterning; remote fields; tissue engineering.

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Conflict of interest statement

Declaration of interests MMS invested in, consults for (or was on the scientific advisory boards or boards of directors) and conducts sponsored research funded by companies related to the biomaterials field. RLM cofounded, is on the scientific advisory board, and conducts sponsored research funded by companies related to the biomaterials field. HMZ consults for a company related to the biomaterials field. HMZ and RLM have submitted a patent application that relates to magnetic susceptibility-based patterning (US Patent App. 17/229,829).

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