Themed collection 3D and 4D Bioprinting

This review introduces magnetic-based tissue engineering (MagTE) as an integrative approach that combines cell manipulation, remote stimulation, and maturation to streamline biofabrication and advance clinically relevant tissue constructs.

This article reviews advances in granular hydrogels for cartilage regeneration, focusing on microparticle synthesis, jamming mechanics, and applications as injectable scaffolds or bioinks.

Advancement of vascular models from simple 2D culture to complex vessel-on-a-chip platforms through integration of microfluidics, biomimetic hydrogels, and 3D bioprinting, enabling controlled investigation of thrombosis mechanisms.

This review highlights the challenges, key strategies, and future perspectives for integrating 3D printing of biomaterials with nitric oxide (NO) release for biomedical applications.

Designing tissue-specific bioinks to replicate actual tissue environments and desired biomechanical properties.

In embedded extrusion 3D bioprinting, a temporary matrix preserves a paste-like filament ejecting from a narrow nozzle.

Self-assembled models offer advantages in studying neural development, but standardisation, control, and scalability are limited. Engineering hydrogel-based models to mimic native tissue structures shows promise in overcoming these challenges.

4D hydrogels mimic anisotropic tissue composition due to non-uniform distribution of internal stresses within them. Herein, we discuss the strategies used to fabricate programmable hydrogels in response to environmental cues for biomedical applications.

This review introduces different methods used to generate microgels and the microgel-based bioink for bioprinting. Besides, the further tendency of microgel development in future is predicted.

To date, organ transplantation remains an effective method for treating end-stage diseases of various organs.

Porcine skin-derived hydrogels were obtained with tunable gelation kinetics and rheological properties, influencing printability and cell proliferation and migration. Created in BioRender. Persson, C. (2025) https://BioRender.com/qd39swt.

Polymerization-induced self-assembly (PISA) printing combines reversible addition–fragmentation chain transfer (RAFT) polymerization with digital light projection (DLP) photolithography to create high-resolution, physically-crosslinked 3D prints.

A hierarchical ECs-PCL-tube scaffold fabricated via integrated 3D printing/phase separation promoted HUVEC self-assembly. Modular assembly with cardiac tissue demonstrated improved cardiomyocyte viability, maturation, and synchronized beating.

4D-printed conductive hydrogels are developed into complex designs of nerve guide conduits, enabling sutureless nerve repair and sensing of subtle human motions.

Bioceramic scaffolds with fully interconnected hollow channels enhance vascularized bone regeneration.

Engineering vascularization in hydrogel constructs remains a significant challenge in tissue engineering.

An iohexol-based bioink enables high-resolution, high cell density 3D bioprinting by reducing light scattering through refractive index matching, supporting cell viability and perfusable tissue fabrication.

This study utilizes a 3D bioprinted stromal model to obtain EVs that differ based on proximity to a tumor. A 3D tumor spheroid model displayed increased spheroid diameter after treatment with normal tumor adjacent fibroblast EVs.

3D printed gelatin scaffolds incorporated with quarternary ammonium compounds are a promising effective and cytocompatible platform for root canal disinfection in regenerative endodontic procedures (REPs).

Post-processing of DLP-printed polyethylene glycol diacrylate (PEGDA)/polyvinyl alcohol (PVA) resins with tannic acid (TA) enhanced their mechanical properties and introduced bioactive functionalities.

Injectable hydrogels with self-healing properties, tissue adhesion, biocompatibility, and cancer therapeutic capabilities offer a promising solution for addressing bone loss and residual tumor cells following surgical resection of osteosarcoma.

We engineered SwellMA by combining gelatin methacryloyl (GelMA) with sodium polyacrylate (SPA) to enable dynamic shape changes and enhanced performance in 4D bioprinting applications.

We present an extrusion-based embedded bioprinting strategy to fabricate dense cellular constructs within bioactive MeHA hydrogels containing human bone microparticles, providing a scalable platform for bone tissue engineering.

Organ shortages for transplantation in the United States impact over 100 000 patients, with 17 dying daily due to the lack of available organs.

Identifying key physicochemical factors affecting SERS biosensing performance in 3D cell models using a library of thiol–ene photo-crosslinked plasmonic hydrogels.

Localised cytokine delivery is a promising strategy for modulating immune response and enhancing regenerative medicine therapies. SPAK-PEGDA hydrogels enable the long-term controlled release of lysozyme and the sustained release of Interleukin-4.

Scaffold guided-soft tissue regeneration via controlled local degradation of a CAP/DIO medical-grade scaffold: highly vascularized tissue grows through stable, enlarged pores.

Spherical microgels can be conveniently direct ink written into granular hydrogels because of their rheological properties when jammed.

3D bioprinted PLA scaffolds with curcumin-loaded lipid carriers show antimicrobial activity and promote skin regeneration, offering promise for wound healing.

Chondrogenic differentiation of mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) within a three-dimensional (3D) environment can be guided to form cartilage-like tissue in vitro to generate cartilage grafts for implantation.

A biofabricated 3D in vitro model merges MEW scaffolds with the GelMa hydrogel to assess the biocompatibility and antibacterial effects of metallic coatings. Nb, Ta, Ti, and Zr enhance cellular activity. Ag and W show strong antibacterial properties.

The design and fabrication of 3D printed ATESs with in vivo adhesion and application potential, shape design capability, as well as accessible and convenient fabrication and application process.

This study reports a photoinitiator- and radical-free biocompatible crosslinking method based on ortho-nitrobenzyl alcohol, which provides a versatile approach to generate dynamic hydrogels and crosslink pristine proteins for biomedical applications.

Workflow for developing an in vitro biomimetic myotendinous junction (MTJ): tissue properties and SEM data are measured (left), informing 3D printing of microstructure and properties (middle). MTJ formation occurs naturally within 2 weeks (right).

Our study presents a pioneering approach utilizing dorsal dermis tissues (DD) as an angiogenic bioink additive, focusing on exploring the pro-angiogenic and inflammatory response mechanisms.

Electrowriting of rheologically optimized silk fibroin solutions allows controlled fabrication of microfiber scaffolds. A salt treatment induces scaffold gelation, imparting low stiffness and high mechanical stability to guide renal cell growth.

Bovine type I collagen was chemically modified with maleic anhydride to introduce a novel neutral-soluble and photocrosslinkable bioink.

A 3D printed hydrogel optimized for a BBB model (1) and evaluated for perfusion and ultrasound assisted transport of antibody, IgG, across the BBB (2).

This paper describes in detail the design, fabrication, clinical trial evaluation and post clinical application analysis of 3D-printed bone implants made from the nHAp@PLDLLA [nanohydroxyapatite; poly(L-lactide-co-D,L-lactide)] biomaterial.

This study introduces gelatinized dECM, a tissue-specific rheological modifier, enabling high-resolution printing of flexible tissue constructs with enhanced resilience.

A 3D printed bionic trabecular bone scaffold based on nacre powder and sodium alginate is used for skull regeneration, and platelet-rich fibrin accelerates bone repair.