Biomanufacturing in Japan: frontier research from 2018 to 2023
Qing Cao, Yangqianhui Zhang, Runyi Deng, Kai Ren, Huayong Yang, Dong Han
Abstract
Biomanufacturing (BM) is a multidisciplinary area incorporating the characteristics of living organisms and engineering principles to create valuable products for various sectors, including medicine, energy, and the environment. BM has undergone a remarkable transformation in the last two decades, entering the era of BM 4.0 and becoming a pivotal driver of the sustainable revolution. Notably, Japan has made significant advances in BM, contributing to its development through the creation of innovative materials, advanced processes, and interdisciplinary applications. However, because of certain development policies, this research has not been widely recognized on an international level. This paper provides a comprehensive summary of the research progress made by renowned Japanese laboratories and researchers in biomedical materials, bio-three-dimensional (3D) printing, and biomedical applications in the last five years. Their unique contributions are introduced and analyzed, illuminating the distinctive approaches and breakthroughs within each domain. Additionally, this review highlights the current challenges and prospects of BM. The viewpoints presented in this paper are intended to serve as a valuable reference for scholars studying BM in Japan.