3D Printing for Neural Repair: Bridging the Gap in Regenerative Medicine
Abstract
AbstractNeurological disorders impose a substantial global health burden, compounded by the limited regenerative capacity of neural tissues and the absence of curative therapies. 3D bioprinting offers a transformative tool to model, replace, and regenerate neural tissues through the precise spatial organization of cells and biomaterials. In this perspective article, recent advances are examined in: i) the development of in vitro neural platforms for disease modeling and drug screening; ii) bioprinted acellular scaffolds designed to guide endogenous neural repair; and iii) cell‐laden constructs that aim to replace or reconstruct damaged neural circuits. Key translational challenges are critically evaluated, including vascularization, immune integration, functional maturation, and replicating the complex cytoarchitectures of native neural tissues. Highlighting representative preclinical studies and emerging biofabrication technologies, we discuss how innovations in biomaterials, scaffold design, stem cell biology, and neuroengineering are converging to overcome existing limitations. Through tailored strategies and interdisciplinary collaboration, 3D bioprinting is poised to redefine therapeutic paradigms and drive the development of next‐generation, personalized regenerative therapies for neurological diseases and injuries.
Article Details
Authors (3)
Mitchell St Clair‐Glover
School of Medical Indigenous and Health Sciences Molecular Horizons University of Wollongong Wollongong NSW 2522 Australia
Zhilian Yue
Intelligent Polymer Research Institute AIIM Facility Innovation Campus University of Wollongong North Wollongong NSW Australia
Mirella Dottori
School of Medical Indigenous and Health Sciences Molecular Horizons University of Wollongong Wollongong NSW 2522 Australia