The fields of tissue engineering, 3D bio-imprinting and regenerative medicine are booming. However, these three sectors are in high demand for innovative solutions for biomimetic scaffold materials supply such as hydrogels.
Hydrogels used for research purposes (3D culture, organ-on-chip...) are generally of animal origin and therefore exhibit batch-to-batch variability, not to mention the fact that they are neither representative of the cellular physiological micro-environment nor transposable to clinical applications.
The bio-printing field is in shortage of bio-inks that are easily printable, biocompatible, and that can be applied to different bio-printing technologies (extrusion, laser, inkjet etc...)
Finally, the challenge for the next few years in cell therapy or regenerative medicine will be to enhance stem cell engraftment for a successful transplant. This requires substrates that do not currently exist and that will have to meet regulatory and safety criterias.