The scope of Biofabrication focuses on the state-of-the-art research and development of biomanufacturing processes, process science, modeling and design. That is, using cells, proteins and biomaterials as building blocks to manufacture biological systems and/or therapeutic products. It includes the following topics:

Integrated bio/micro- and nano-fabrication

• cell as production plant
• stem cell fabrication
• nano-fiber electro-span for tissue scaffolds/nano-particle application
• bio-manufacturing enabled by nanotechnology
• engineering 'active and reactive' interfaces among nano structures within hierarchical bio structures, devices and systems
• design, modeling and manufacturing of biomedical systems incorporating nanocomponents
• enabling bio-nanomanufacturing tools and technologies for biomedicine
• metrology for testing bio-nano products

Cell, tissue and organ printing, patterning and assemblies

• for tissue substitutes and tissue analogs and tissue precursors
• as in vitro disease model, pathogenesis model, and tissue/organ assemblies for drug screening, metabolism, and animal testing

Protein/biomolecules printing and patterning

• micro-array
• drug delivery

Cell/protein-integrated biological systems

• biochips and biosensors
• micro-fluidic devices
• lab-cell/tissue/organ-on-a-chip

3D tissue scaffold fabrication

• direct and indirect fabrication methods
• novel processes for complex scaffolds and surface modification

Papers

Descriptions of original scientific research, techniques and applications; not normally more than 12000 words (14 journal pages). All research papers should show strong evidence validating the scientific hypothesis, or the novelty, performance or comparative advantage of the technique or application.

Communications

Shorter versions of Papers and not normally more than 4000 words (4 journal pages).

Topical Reviews

Intended to summarize accepted practice and report on recent progress in selected areas; generally commissioned by the Editorial Board, from experts in various fields.

Comments and Replies

Comments on, or criticisms of, previously published work or comments on general scientific matters; not normally more than 1800 words (2 journal pages).

Special requirements

Authors of all articles are required upon submission to disclose any potential conflict of interest (e.g. employment, consulting fees, industrial research contracts, stock ownership, equity interests, patent-licensing arrangements, honoraria, etc) in their covering letter. If the article is subsequently accepted for publication, this information should be included in an acknowledgments section. Authors should also note that the journal fully endorses the principles embodied in the Declaration of Helsinki. All investigations involving humans must be conducted in accordance with these principles and in accordance with local statutory requirements. Articles relying on clinical trials should quote the trial registration number at the end of the abstract. We also encourage the registration of such studies in a public trials registry prior to publication of the results in the journal. All investigations involving animal experimentation must be conducted in conformity with the 'Guiding Principles for Research Involving Animals and Human Beings' as adopted by The American Physiological Society.