Two laser-based transfer techniques have been used to print nanoparticles and living cells: The laser-induced backward transfer for nanoparticles and the laser-induced forward transfer for cells. The nanoparticles are also generated by the transfer process. There are several biomedical applications for nanoparticles like nano-markers, surface coatings for controlling cellular behavior, or drug release. Silicon nanoparticles with controlled shapes and sizes can be used in novel nanophotonic components such as nanolasers1, sensors2 and metamaterials3. Therefore, a printing method allowing the generation and arrangement of these nanoparticles in a very precise manner is needed. The printed nanoparticles have a predefined size and are characterized by unique optical properties. With sizes in between 100-200 nm in diameter they exhibit pronounced electric and magnetic dipole resonances within the visible spectral range. The printed silicon nanoparticles are initially in an amorphous phase. A second laser pulse can subsequently be used to recrystallize these nanoparticles. Printing of 3D cell constructs is promising for tissue engineering and for mimicking natural in vivo cell environments (cell niches). Chemicals, pharmaceuticals, and cosmetics could be tested with printed human tissue instead of animal testing. In future, laser printing of living cells might become a key technology for printing of complete functional replacement organs for transplantation. We proved that cells are not harmed by this printing process. With specific multi-cellular cell patterns, studies of cell-cell and cell-environment interactions can be performed. Furthermore, cells have been printed layer-by-layer to form 3D tissue constructs.