omplex in vitro 3D models hold the enormous potential of mimicking organ specific behaviour in highly controlled conditions, that imitate the physico chemical microenvironment of tissues in the human body. Despite these
advantages over other in vitro systems and animal models, lacking or inefficient
perfusion and vascularization remains one of the main limitations in constructs
thicker than 200 μm (i.e., diffusion limit of oxygen and nutrients). Indeed, a
functional capillary network would allow for a long-term maintenance of the
construct in terms of viability, morphology and functionality, therefore the
possibility to provide more realistic insights of human response to drug testing,
toxicology assays or in pathological models. This project mainly focuses on the
use of femtosecond laser-based high definition bioprinting techniques, to
stimulate and guide the formation of a controlled microvascular network in
hydrogels, which serve as a support for the growth of a vascularized tissue in a
microfluidic platform
