Biofabrication aims to fabricate biologically functional products through bioprinting or bioassembly (Groll et al 2016 Biofabrication 8 013001). In biofabrication processes, cells are positioned at defined coordinates in three-dimensional space using automated and computer controlled techniques (Moroni et al 2018 Trends Biotechnol. 36 384-402), usually with the aid of biomaterials that are either (i) directly processed with the cells as suspensions/dispersions, (ii) deposited simultaneously in a separate printing process, or (iii) used as a transient support material. Materials that are suited for biofabrication are often referred to as bioinks and have become an important area of research within the field. In view of this special issue on bioinks, we aim herein to briefly summarize the historic evolution of this term within the field of biofabrication. Furthermore, we propose a simple but general definition of bioinks, and clarify its distinction from biomaterial inks.

中文翻译：

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生物油墨的定义及其与生物材料油墨的区别。

生物制造的目的是通过生物印刷或生物组装来制造具有生物功能的产品（Groll等，2016年，生物制造8 013001）。在生物制造过程中，通常使用（i）直接加工的生物材料，通过自动和计算机控制的技术（Moroni等人2018 Trends Biotechnol.36384-402）将细胞定位在三维空间中的指定坐标上。细胞是悬浮液/分散液，（ii）在单独的印刷工艺中同时沉积，或（iii）用作瞬态支持材料。适于生物制造的材料通常被称为生物墨水，并已成为该领域研究的重要领域。鉴于有关生物墨水的特刊，我们在此旨在简要概述该术语在生物制造领域的历史演变。此外，我们提出了一个简单但通用的生物墨水定义，并阐明了它与生物材料墨水的区别。