Microgel-Based 3D Bioprinting: A Convergent Strategy Integrating Material Design, Jamming Dynamics, and Biological Function.

Abstract

Driven by rapid technological innovation and an increasing demand for personalized medicine, microgel-based bioprinting emerges as a versatile strategy for generating physiologically relevant tissue models and patient-specific constructs. By integrating microgel systems with 3D bioprinting, this approach enables the creation of complex, cell-laden architectures that closely recapitulate native tissue architecture and function. Pivotal to this potential are microgels that offer significant advantages over conventional hydrogel-based bioinks, including tunable rheological behavior, enhanced print fidelity, and a supportive microenvironment for cell viability and maturation. This review outlines the fundamental principles and recent advances that shape this rapidly evolving field, focusing on microgel synthesis strategies and how their physicochemical design and rheological properties can be leveraged to precisely tailor their printability and biological performances. The role of microgels in 3D bioprinting is comprehensively discussed, focusing on their jamming behavior and ability to form tissue-mimetic constructs. Emerging approaches for creating structurally and functionally advanced microgel-based 3D matters are also explored, highlighting their transformative role in diverse biomedical applications. Finally, the review outlines key translational opportunities and challenges, emphasizing the promise of microgel-based 3D constructs as a versatile platform for regenerative therapies and the development of clinically relevant tissues.