The term "bioprinting" refers to processes that bring biological materials such as cells, biomolecules and tissue preparations or biocompatible materials into a three-dimensional structure in order to fulfil a biological function.
While the Fraunhofer Institutes ILT, IFAM and IPA are working on the generative construction of improved orthopaedic implants and orthoses made of metal powders and synthetic materials, Fraunhofer IGB develops so-called biotools from biocompatible polymers, biological molecules from the natural tissue matrix and cells for the reconstruction of biological tissues.
In the future, natural, human tissue models should enable meaningful and individual diagnostic and pharmacological tests, avoid animal experiments and eventually also be available as implantable biological tissue sets.