# Additive Manufacturing Applications in Biosensors Technologies

## TL;DR

This paper reviews how 3D printing can be used to create biosensors, focusing on materials and methods for integrating biological functions into printed structures.

## Contribution

The paper introduces the potential of additive manufacturing for biosensor development, emphasizing extrusion-based 3D printing and material integration.

## Key findings

- 3D printing allows fabrication of complex biosensors with integrated biological functions.
- Natural, synthetic, and composite biomaterials are suitable for 3D-printed soft hydrogels in biosensors.
- Extrusion-based 3D printing is a promising modality for biosensor fabrication.

## Abstract

Three-dimensional (3D) printing technology, also known as additive manufacturing (AM), has emerged as an attractive state-of-the-art tool for precisely fabricating functional materials with complex geometries, championing several advancements in tissue engineering, regenerative medicine, and therapeutics. However, this technology has an untapped potential for biotechnological applications, such as sensor and biosensor development. By exploring these avenues, the scope of 3D printing technology can be expanded and pave the way for groundbreaking innovations in the biotechnology field. Indeed, new printing materials and printers would offer new possibilities for seamlessly incorporating biological functionalities within the growing 3D scaffolds. Herein, we review the additive manufacturing applications in biosensor technologies with a particular emphasis on extrusion-based 3D printing modalities. We highlight the application of natural, synthetic, and composite biomaterials as 3D-printed soft hydrogels. Emphasis is placed on the approach by which the sensing molecules are introduced during the fabrication process. Finally, future perspectives are provided.