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1. A method for evaluating the effect of a test agent and/or condition on the contractile function of a mammalian muscle cell, comprising the steps of a) contacting a synthetic living tissue structure comprising a continuous fiber of mammalian muscle cells dispensed from a bioprinter in overlapping layers with the test agent and/or condition, wherein said fiber comprises a solidified biocompatible matrix comprising said cells and said solidified biocompatible matrix is homogeneous in radial cross-section throughout said fiber and is capable of maintaining the structural integrity and shape fidelity of said fiber upon deposition and without any additional cross-linking steps following deposition, and wherein the structural integrity of the fiber is maintained between each layer and the layers are structurally discrete; and b) determining the effect of said agent and/or condition on said mammalian muscle cells by measuring a dimensional change in the structure.
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