bims-enlima Biomed News
on Engineered living materials
Issue of 2026–02–15
forty-five papers selected by
Rahul Kumar, Tallinna Tehnikaülikool
  1. Enabling water-based high-density nanoparticles assembly by using silk fibroin as an adsorbate.
  2. Isotropically Robust Hydrogel with Biomimetic Multilayer Fibrous Architecture.
  3. N-Terminal Octylated Peptoid Hydrogels as 3D-Printable Cell Scaffolds and Proteolytically Robust Cargo Depots.
  4. Molecular origins of viscoelasticity in biomolecular condensates.
  5. Morphodynamics of surface-attached active drops.
  6. Smooth doubly curved origami shells with reprogrammable rigidity.
  7. A synthetic cell with integrated DNA self-replication and lipid biosynthesis.
  8. Shaping hydrogel bioinks into 3D, multiscale, perfusable models using multimodal printing.
  9. Network Design to Multifunctional Applications in Stimuli-Activated Chromic Hydrogels.
  10. Epoxy polymers as versatile hydrophobic components for tough phase-separated hydrogels.
  11. Expression of nano-engineered RNA organelles in bacteria.
  12. A peptide catalyst can replace an essential enzyme in a eukaryotic cell.
  13. RAFT-Mediated 3D Printing of Polylactones/Itaconate Elastomers with Polypeptide Surface Functionalization.
  14. Multichannel genomic recording of biological information with ENGRAM.
  15. Ion transport control in electrolytes via electrochemical doping.
  16. Photocrosslinkable lung dECM hydrogels promote stiffness-dependent lung cancer growth and chemoresistance.
  17. Reactive oxygen species-activated bioorthogonal chemistry in living systems enabled by boronate-caged dihydrotetrazines.
  18. Hydrogels with Dynamically Tunable Friction Engineered through Regrafting Polymer Brushes.
  19. Sub-second volumetric 3D printing by synthesis of holographic light fields.
  20. Design and Characterization of DX-Tile DNA Nanostar-Based Hydrogels.
  21. Real-Time Electrochemical Sensing Enabled by Nanoconfined Hydrogels in Solid-State Arrayed Nanochannels.
  22. Tough and stretchable cellulose hydrogels engineered via the synergy of entanglements and cross-links.
  23. Fluorescently Labeled Gradient Hydrogels Reveal Matrix-Dependent Cell Responses to Substrate Stiffness.
  24. Learning nature's assembly language with polymers.
  25. Cross-Hierarchical Transduction of Dynamic Behaviors from Self-Oscillating Microgels to Colloidosomes.
  26. Modular Opto-Magnetic Oscillators: Harnessing Light to Drive Versatile Materials and Functionalities.
  27. In situ self-layering bilayer alginate-gelatin hydrogels enabling synergistic adhesion and sensing for pressure distribution recognition.
  28. Laser-stimulated 4D printing of magnetostrictive Fe-Co-V.
  29. In vitro evaluation of Escherichia coli and Staphylococcus aureus translocation in 3D printed material.
  30. Preparation strategies and biomedical applications of DNA hydrogels.
  31. Self-Healing and pH-Robust Hydrogels Enabled by Synergistic Supramolecular Interactions for Injectable Gastrointestinal Wound Repair.
  32. A self-powered hydrogel electronic skin with decoupled multimodal sensing for closed-loop human-machine interactions.
  33. Engineered Strain in 2D Materials by Direct Growth on Deterministically Patterned Grayscale Topographies.
  34. Smart DNA Hydrogel-Responsive Encoding Enables Portable Nucleic Acid Detection.
  35. Regenerative base editing enables deep lineage recording.
  36. Gene sharing during enzyme recruitment reveals distinct adaptive strategies including massive, sustained duplication without divergence.
  37. The Role of Ionic Liquids at the Biological Interfaces in Bioelectronics.
  38. Bioinspired Structural Design Enables Synergistic Toughness and Conductivity in Hydrogels for Advanced Wearable Electronics.
  39. Hydrogel-imposed boundary conditions guide single-lumen neuroepithelial morphogenesis.
  40. Microfluidic Based In Situ Synthesis of Magneto-Responsive Microcarrier Hydrogel Bead and its Cell Seeding Applications.
  41. Uncovering Design and Assembly Rules for mRNA-DNA Origami.
  42. Bimodal dynamics of viscous pearls.
  43. Diverse polymers with chemical recyclability via regioirregular polymerization of a single monomer.
  44. Tunable 3D optohydrodynamic torques from optical phase gradient-driven colloidal assemblies.
  45. Cross-scale modeling of bacteria-contaminant spatiotemporal dynamics in 3D bioprinted hydrogel for dye biodegradation.
  1. Nat Commun. 2026 Feb 10.
    Enabling water-based high-density nanoparticles assembly by using silk fibroin as an adsorbate.
    Taehoon Kim, Chungman Kim, Narendar Gogurla, Nicholas A Ostrovsky-Snider, Giulia Guidetti, Silvia Betti, Fiorenzo G Omenetto.
      Water-based fabrication holds promise for innovations in life sciences, electronics, and materials science at the biotic-abiotic interface by integrating living systems with high technologies. However, using water to create bio-nano interfaces is challenging, as it often requires surface pre-treatment and thermal processing, which are both harmful to living systems. Here, we propose silk fibroin (SF) as a natural adsorbate that enables the fabrication of high-density nanoparticle (NP) layers relying solely on water-based processing. We show that SF spontaneously adsorbs onto various NPs, enhancing intermolecular interactions and facilitating the wetting of otherwise hydrophobic substrates, resulting in densely packed NP layers. Several SF-adsorbed NP electronics are demonstrated with performance comparable to their conventional counterparts. This work offers significant utility by establishing a flexible and biocompatible approach for the fabrication of seamless, precisely controlled bio-nano interfaces.
    DOI:  https://doi.org/10.1038/s41467-026-68499-w
  2. ACS Appl Mater Interfaces. 2026 Feb 09.
    Isotropically Robust Hydrogel with Biomimetic Multilayer Fibrous Architecture.
    Ziyu Shao, Zeye Wang, Weiwei Gao, Qianming Chen, Hao Bai.
      Soft materials like hydrogels hold great promise for biomedical and engineering applications. While various strengthening and toughening methods have been developed, they often produce anisotropic structures or require specific liquid conditions to maintain enhanced mechanical properties. Inspired by the hierarchical collagen architecture of articular cartilage, we report here a biomimetic multilayer fibrous hydrogel that overcomes these limitations. Through controlled stacking of aligned fibrous monolayers, we create a hierarchical structure exhibiting exceptional isotropic mechanical properties while maintaining full functionality, regardless of liquid environments. Additionally, our hydrogel demonstrates remarkable crack resistance under both static and cyclic loading conditions, sustaining 10,000 loading cycles without structural degradation. Our work establishes a generalized framework for designing hydrogels with isotropically high mechanical performance and structural durability without dependence on specific liquid environments, opening new possibilities for load-bearing applications in biomedical devices and soft robotics where both mechanical reliability and aqueous stability are essential.
    Keywords:  biomimetic materials; isotropic mechanical properties; multiscale microstructural design; poly(vinyl alcohol) hydrogel; tough hydrogel
    DOI:  https://doi.org/10.1021/acsami.5c25801
  3. ACS Nano. 2026 Feb 09.
    N-Terminal Octylated Peptoid Hydrogels as 3D-Printable Cell Scaffolds and Proteolytically Robust Cargo Depots.
    Il-Soo Park, Younghak Cho, Yen Jea Lee, Daniela Gutierrez, Ronald N Zuckermann, Hyejeong Seong, Jae Hong Kim.
      Supramolecular hydrogels that mimic the extracellular matrix (ECM) represent promising materials for tissue engineering and drug delivery. However, conventional hydrogels formed via the self-assembly of natural or synthetic building blocks often face a trade-off between biological functionality and biochemical stability, limiting their utility in long-term or protease-rich environments. Peptoids, a class of peptide-inspired, sequence-defined polymers, offer a compelling alternative due to their exceptional proteolytic resistance and bioactivity. Despite this potential, the development of supramolecular peptoid hydrogels has been hindered by the absence of backbone hydrogen bond donors, which limits long-range ordering necessary for efficient hydrogel formation. This work describes a short peptoid functionalized at the N-terminus with an octyl chain that readily self-assembles into hydrogels. Hydrophobic interactions among pendant octyl groups promote directional peptoid packing into highly ordered nanosheets, which interconnect to form a porous hydrogel network. These hydrogels exhibit tunable viscoelasticity, shear-thinning, and self-healing properties, enabling their use as inks for extrusion-based 3D printing. They support NIH-3T3 fibroblast adhesion, spreading, and proliferation, maintaining greater than 95% cell viability over 4 days. Moreover, the hydrogels retain their macroscopic integrity under protease-rich conditions, enabling sustained cargo release and uniform cellular uptake. Together, this study demonstrates a class of supramolecular peptoid hydrogelators that integrate biocompatibility, 3D printability, and proteolytic stability, providing a versatile platform for ECM-mimetic scaffolds in regenerative medicine and long-term therapeutic delivery.
    Keywords:  cargo delivery; cell scaffolds; hydrogels; peptoid; protease-resistant materials; self-assembly
    DOI:  https://doi.org/10.1021/acsnano.5c16998
  4. J Chem Phys. 2026 Feb 14. pii: 064907. [Epub ahead of print]164(6):
    Molecular origins of viscoelasticity in biomolecular condensates.
    Pablo L Garcia, Jerelle A Joseph.
      Biomolecular condensates are membraneless organelles that compartmentalize functions in living cells. Formed by the phase separation of biomolecules, condensates possess a wide range of mechanical responses. However, how condensate viscoelastic response is encoded in the chemistries of their constituents-such as intrinsically disordered proteins (IDPs)-is not well understood. Here, we employ molecular dynamics simulations to connect measurable condensate viscoelasticity to the architectural heterogeneity and dynamic reconfigurability of associative networks formed by IDPs. Using a residue-resolution coarse-grained model, we characterize biologically relevant and synthetic condensates, demonstrating that the temperature sensitivity of elasticity is sequence-dependent and modeled by exponential scaling laws. We interrogate condensate mesh heterogeneity via entanglement spacing, finding that entropy-driven structural heterogeneity and reduced IDP hydrophobicity favor condensate elasticity. Furthermore, we construct graph-theoretical representations of condensates and find that interaction network topologies with an abundance of redundant node pathways translate to more load-bearing paths for mechanical stress storage. Strikingly, we discover that elastic coupling of IDPs within condensates emerges when single-molecule shape memory timescales approach mesh reconfiguration timescales. This interplay of timescales for molecular and microstructural processes, which we introduce as the condensate Deborah number, dictates how restoring elastic forces propagate and are stored across IDP networks, linking condensate microstructure dynamics directly to mechanical responses. Taken together, our work provides a conceptual framework of how condensates act as stress-responsive biomaterials, helping illuminate how cells exploit condensate mechanics to sense and regulate their internal environment and opening avenues for the design of condensates with programmable viscoelastic properties.
    DOI:  https://doi.org/10.1063/5.0309619
  5. Nat Commun. 2026 Feb 12. 17(1): 1600
    Morphodynamics of surface-attached active drops.
    Alejandro Martínez-Calvo, Sujit S Datta.
      Many biological and synthetic systems are suspensions of oriented actively-moving components. Unlike in passive suspensions, the interplay between orientational order, active flows, and interactions with boundaries gives rise to fascinating new phenomena in such active suspensions. Here, we examine the paradigmatic example of a surface-attached drop of an active fluid (an "active drop"), which has so far only been studied in the idealized limit of thin drops. We find that such surface-attached active drops can exhibit a wide array of stable steady-state shapes and internal flows that are far richer than those documented previously, depending on boundary conditions and the strength of active stresses. Our analysis uncovers quantitative principles to predict and even rationally control the conditions under which these different states arise-yielding design principles for next-generation active materials.
    DOI:  https://doi.org/10.1038/s41467-025-68235-w
  6. Nat Commun. 2026 Feb 13.
    Smooth doubly curved origami shells with reprogrammable rigidity.
    Morad Mirzajanzadeh, Damiano Pasini.
      Origami tessellations can transform flat sheets into curved yet inherently compliant surfaces that only approximate curvature and are unable to reconcile a fundamental trade-off among load-bearing capacity, curvature precision, and stiffness reprogrammability. We resolve this conflict by introducing a tileable crease pattern that folds into smooth, doubly curved shapes, enabling structural locking with minimal sagging under load. Solving an inverse problem, we compute fold patterns that match prescribed smooth surfaces with double, variable, and constant curvature. By strategically embedding tendons with varying pre-tension, we demonstrate reversible transformations from ultrasoft, formless states into rigid, load-bearing structures with in-situ tunable stiffness spanning orders of magnitude. This work unlocks a paradigm for folding doubly curved origami metamaterials, enabling flat-pack transport and scalable deployment of smooth, load-bearing shells.
    DOI:  https://doi.org/10.1038/s41467-026-69562-2
  7. Nat Commun. 2026 Feb 13.
    A synthetic cell with integrated DNA self-replication and lipid biosynthesis.
    Ana María Restrepo Sierra, Federico Ramirez Gomez, Mats van Tongeren, Laura Sierra Heras, Christophe Danelon.
      The emergence, organization, and persistence of cellular life are the result of the functional integration of metabolic and genetic networks. Here, we engineer phospholipid vesicles that can operate three essential functions, namely transcription-translation of a partial genome, self-replication of this DNA program, and membrane synthesis. The synthetic genome encodes six proteins, and its compartmentalized expression produces active liposomes with distinct phenotypes demonstrating successful module integration. Our results reveal that genetic factors exert a stronger control over DNA replication and membrane synthesis than metabolic crosstalk or module co-activity. By showing how genetically encoded functions derived from different species can be integrated in liposome compartments, our work opens avenues for the construction of autonomous and evolving synthetic cells.
    DOI:  https://doi.org/10.1038/s41467-026-69531-9
  8. bioRxiv. 2026 Feb 02. pii: 2026.01.29.702588. [Epub ahead of print]
    Shaping hydrogel bioinks into 3D, multiscale, perfusable models using multimodal printing.
    Puskal Kunwar, Arun Poudel, Ujjwal Aryal, Zachary J Geffert, Daniel Fougnier, Ameya Narkar, Kairui Zhang, Alex Filip, Pranav Soman.
      Despite technological advances, the fabrication of multiscale, multi-material, and topologically complex 3D structures using soft hydrogel bioinks remains a challenge due to the inherent trade-offs between print size/resolution, bioink properties, and design complexity. In this work, we combine additive (macroscale) digital light projection (DLP) mode with subtractive (microscale) two-photon ablation (TPA) mode with multi-material exchange capability. We identify ideal hydrogel bioink formulations that are compatible with both DLP and TPA modes of processing. Technical challenges related to multimodal fabrication such as alignment of multiscale topologies to facilitate seamless media perfusion, soft-hard multi-material printing to facilitate handling of mechanically weak hydrogel constructs, and hydrogel swelling during printing, were resolved. To highlight the novelty of this hybrid platform, we fabricated centimeter-scale bioink constructs with embedded microscale perfusable topologies that cannot be achieved by isolated use of either DLP or TPA modes. This includes simpler microfluidic chips with independently perfusable microchannels to more complex 3D constructs with embedded, multiscale, perfusable dual-fluidic circuits that mimic the alveoli-capillary interface, or microfluidic chips with endothelialized microchannels. The unique ability of this multimodal platform to mimic in vivo -like multiscale complexities can be potentially used to develop next-generation organ-on-chips.
    DOI:  https://doi.org/10.64898/2026.01.29.702588
  9. ACS Appl Mater Interfaces. 2026 Feb 08.
    Network Design to Multifunctional Applications in Stimuli-Activated Chromic Hydrogels.
    Mitra Hosseingholizadeh, Milad Babazadeh-Mamaqani, Hossein Roghani-Mamaqani, Hossein Riazi, Vahid Haddadi-Asl.
      The emergence of smart materials that dynamically respond to different stimuli has grown as a result of advances in materials science and engineering. Stimuli-induced chromic hydrogels have recently been studied due to their vibrant colorations in response to various stimuli. The chromism caused by environmental stimuli, originating from structural or chemical changes within the hydrogel network, affects the optical characteristics. In the case of reversible and quick color change, such chromic hydrogels are applicable in different areas, such as contact lens devices, drug delivery, anticounterfeiting, and smart windows. After providing a fundamental overview of hydrogels, the review introduces stimuli-responsive hydrogels with a focus on chromic features. Pertinent research studies that highlight the mechanisms, materials, and performance of various types of chromic hydrogels, such as photochromic, thermochromic, solvatochromic, halochromic, magnetochromic, mechanochromic, and electrochromic systems, are reviewed in this study. The main goal of this thorough review is to offer insightful information about the functionality, design, and possible applications of chromic hydrogels in cutting-edge smart technologies.
    Keywords:  anticounterfeiting; chromic hydrogels; contact lens devices; drug delivery; sensors; smart materials; smart windows
    DOI:  https://doi.org/10.1021/acsami.5c22080
  10. Mater Horiz. 2026 Feb 13.
    Epoxy polymers as versatile hydrophobic components for tough phase-separated hydrogels.
    Qiuyue Chen, Yuwei Long, Shumin Li, Jiaxin Zhao, Shimei Xu.
      The inherent paradox between hydrophilicity and hydrophobicity poses significant challenges for introducing hydrophobic components into hydrogels to achieve controlled phase separation. This work presents a solution using hydrophobic epoxy polymers (EPI) containing polar groups, which enable the fabrication of a non-covalent bond crosslinked hydrogel with microphase separation. The resulting hydrogels possess exceptional mechanical properties, including a tensile strength of 14.15 MPa and a Young's modulus of 295.87 MPa, through water-induced phase separation and glass transition of the EPI. The high glass transition temperature of the EPI enables temperature-tunable mechanical properties and imparts shape-memory functionality to the gels. The hydrophilic component can also include other hydrogen bond-forming polymers, such as polyacrylic acid or polyvinylpyrrolidone. This work provides a versatile hydrophobic component for phase-separated hydrogels, which gives a new idea for the design of tough and multi-functional hydrogels with tailored properties.
    DOI:  https://doi.org/10.1039/d5mh02249e
  11. Nat Commun. 2026 Feb 14.
    Expression of nano-engineered RNA organelles in bacteria.
    Brian Ng, Catherine Fan, Milan Dordevic, Adam Knirsch, Layla Malouf, Giacomo Fabrini, Sabrina Pia Nuccio, Roger Rubio-Sánchez, Graham Christie, Masahiro Takinoue, Pietro Cicuta, Lorenzo Di Michele.
      Designing synthetic biomolecular condensates, or membraneless organelles, offers insights into the functions of their natural counterparts and is equally valuable for cellular and metabolic engineering. Choosing E. coli for its biotechnological relevance, we deploy RNA nanotechnology to design and express non-natural membraneless organelles in vivo. The designer condensates assemble co-transcriptionally from branched RNA motifs interacting via base-pairing. Exploiting binding selectivity, we express orthogonal, non-mixing condensates, and by embedding a protein-binding aptamer, we achieve selective protein recruitment. Condensates can be made to dissolve and reassemble upon thermal cycling, thereby reversibly releasing and re-capturing protein clients. The synthetic organelles are expressed robustly across the cell population and remain stable despite enzymatic RNA processing. Compared with existing solutions based on peptide building blocks or repetitive RNA sequences, these nanostructured RNA motifs enable algorithmic control over interactions, affinity for clients, and condensate microstructure, opening further directions in synthetic biology and biotechnology.
    DOI:  https://doi.org/10.1038/s41467-026-69336-w
  12. bioRxiv. 2026 Jan 29. pii: 2026.01.27.701630. [Epub ahead of print]
    A peptide catalyst can replace an essential enzyme in a eukaryotic cell.
    Kira A Podolsky, Oscar J Molina, Vivian Y Long, Ronald T Raines.
      Protein enzymes are central to modern biology, yet how catalysis emerged before the evolution of large, folded proteins remains unresolved. Here we show that a short, genetically encoded peptide can replace an essential enzyme in a living eukaryotic cell. We designed minimal peptides containing a Cys-Xaa-Cys catalytic motif and an endoplasmic reticulum retention signal, and identified variants that rescue the otherwise lethal deletion of protein disulfide isomerase (PDI) in Saccharomyces cerevisiae . Cells relying on these peptides remain viable, though they grow more slowly and adapt by activating stress-response pathways, consistent with PDI being replaced by catalysts of lower intrinsic efficiency. Biochemical analyses show that peptide activity depends on local chemical environment and secondary structure rather than a globular fold. These results demonstrate that short peptides can replace an essential cellular reaction in vivo at the system level, supporting the plausibility of peptide-based catalysis as a precursor to modern protein enzymes.
    DOI:  https://doi.org/10.64898/2026.01.27.701630
  13. ACS Polym Au. 2025 Dec 10. 5(6): 956-966
    RAFT-Mediated 3D Printing of Polylactones/Itaconate Elastomers with Polypeptide Surface Functionalization.
    Gianluca Bartolini Torres, Tianlai Xia, Dengwei Yu, Quinten Thijssen, Sandra Van Vlierberghe, Bo Li, Andreas Heise.
      Reversible addition-fragmentation chain transfer (RAFT) polymerization has gained interest in vat photopolymerization, particularly for enabling postprinting surface functionalization via reactivation of the RAFT agent. In this work, we report the development of RAFT photopolymerizable resins containing up to 50% renewable content using sustainable dimethyl or dibutyl itaconate as primary monomers combined with hydroxyethyl acrylate as a reactive comonomer. A 4-arm polyester cross-linker end-functionalized with itaconic acid (IA), poly-(caprolactone-co-valerolactone)-IA, was synthesized and incorporated into the resin formulation. Photorheology confirmed efficient polymerization, and mechanical characterization revealed elastomeric properties for networks derived from dimethyl itaconate. Digital light processing (DLP) of this formulation enabled the 3D printing of flexible structures, including microneedles. The presence of pendant carboxylic acid groups in the cross-linker imparted pH-responsiveness to the printed objects, allowing for reversible swelling and size changes in response to environmental pH, demonstrating 4D behavior. Leveraging the controlled nature of RAFT polymerization, a two-stage printing approach was employed. After printing with the itaconate-based ink, a switch to a methacrylated polylysine ink enabled surface biofunctionalization. Successful grafting of polylysine was confirmed by atomic force microscopy (AFM) and FTIR spectroscopy. Preliminary results demonstrate antimicrobial activity of the cationic surfaces, as well as the ability to spatially control surface functionalization, exemplified by patterned attachment of fluorescent polylysine.
    Keywords:  3D printing; RAFT polymerization; digital light processing (DLP); itaconates; surface grafting
    DOI:  https://doi.org/10.1021/acspolymersau.5c00117
  14. Nat Protoc. 2026 Feb 11.
    Multichannel genomic recording of biological information with ENGRAM.
    Jenny F Nathans, Troy A McDiarmid, Wei Chen, Jay Shendure.
      Molecular recording is an emerging paradigm for measuring biology over time. Enhancer-mediated genomic recording of activity in multiplex (ENGRAM) is a recently described synthetic biology circuit architecture that converts the transient activity of cis-regulatory elements (CREs) into stable genomic records that can be retrospectively recovered via DNA sequencing. Here we provide a step-by-step protocol for conducting ENGRAM experiments and analyzing the resulting data. We also describe key design considerations for ENGRAM recorders, summarize the strengths and limitations of ENGRAM, and highlight applications, including multiplex signal recording and high-throughput CRE screening. In contrast to other systems for DNA-based recording in mammalian systems, ENGRAM relies on prime editing-mediated insertions to record the activity of a given CRE, such that it is inherently multiplexable-for example, four-base-pair insertions can represent the activities of up to 256 distinct CREs. A further contrast lies with ENGRAM's compatibility with DNA Typewriter, which facilitates the capture of signal order. For users with basic skills in molecular biology, mammalian cell culture and DNA sequencing analysis, ENGRAM experiments can typically be completed within 5-6 weeks.
    DOI:  https://doi.org/10.1038/s41596-025-01322-w
  15. Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A. 2026 Feb 17. 123(7): e2532302123
    Ion transport control in electrolytes via electrochemical doping.
    Zhiwei Li, Yinghong Xu, Wanheng Lu, Xinglong Pan, Langyuan Wu, Wei Li Ong, Netanel Shpigel, Gang Chen, Ghim Wei Ho.
      Doping to control carrier (electron or hole) transport is foundational to modulate the properties of semiconductors, enabling the development of homojunctions and heterojunctions for integrated electronics. Unlike semiconductors with unipolar charge-carrier dominance, both cations and anions in electrolytes are mobile, which is undesirable for many applications. Here, we report a universal strategy to dope electrolytes such that the ion transport can be unipolar by incorporating electroactive polymers within hydrogels that interact discriminately with one type of ion via redox and binding mechanisms, leaving the counterions mobile. This transforms the system into an active, selective conductor that directs ion flow with high precision. We demonstrate the generality of this strategy using a wide range of electroactive polymers and ions. Particularly, we use emeraldine base and leucoemeraldine base, derived from polyaniline to create both n-type and p-type conductors with high ion selectivity. This electrolyte doping strategy has significant implications beyond the developed thermoelectrochemical devices with boosted performance, with potential applications in supercapacitors, batteries, and electrochemical sensors.
    Keywords:  electrolyte doping; hydrogel; ionic thermoelectric materials; low-grade heat harvesting; selective ion transport
    DOI:  https://doi.org/10.1073/pnas.2532302123
  16. Mater Today Bio. 2026 Apr;37 102838
    Photocrosslinkable lung dECM hydrogels promote stiffness-dependent lung cancer growth and chemoresistance.
    Luke Hipwood, Minne Dekker, Dietmar W Hutmacher, Christoph Meinert, Jacqui A McGovern.
      Decellularized extracellular matrices (dECMs) are promising biomaterials for generating tissue-specific in vitro models due to their organotypic extracellular matrix (ECM) protein profiles compared to natural and synthetic alternatives. However, most dECM-based hydrogels rely on collagen fibrillogenesis, resulting in limited mechanical tuneability and cell instructivity. Here, we developed LungMA, a photocrosslinkable, methacrylated lung dECM hydrogel engineered for precise stiffness modulation and tissue-specific lung cancer modelling. The decellularization process removed >99 % of native DNA, ensuring minimal cellular remnants while preserving key ECM components including laminin-332, collagen VI, and heparan sulfate proteoglycan 2 (HSPG2). Methacrylation and photoinitiation enabled formation of stable LungMA hydrogels with tunable stiffnesses ranging from 1 kPa (healthy lung) to 4 kPa (fibrotic lung). Using A549 non-small-cell lung cancer (NSCLC) cells, we demonstrated that matrix composition and stiffness influenced cell morphology, proliferation, and drug response. Soft LungMA (1 kPa) promoted motile, sheet-like cellular organization, whereas stiff LungMA (>4 kPa) induced compact spheroids associated with chemoresistance. Increasing matrix stiffness resulted in an increase in doxorubicin IC50 from 0.40 μM (soft LungMA) to 1.23 μM (stiff LungMA), and cisplatin IC50 from 0.03 μM to 8.34 μM, reflecting clinical observations where fibrosis correlates with poor prognosis. In contrast, gelatin methacryloyl (GelMA) and basement membrane extract (BME)-based hydrogels failed to induce these stiffness-dependent effects during cisplatin treatment underscoring the instructive role of lung-specific ECM components and matrix stiffness on chemotherapeutic outcomes. LungMA provides a physiologically relevant, mechanically tunable, lung-specific platform that replicates in vivo-like cancer phenotypes and drug responses. This work supports the application of LungMA for oncology research, disease modelling, and high-throughput drug screening as a clinically relevant, non-animal alternative for lung cancer studies.
    Keywords:  3D cell culture; Biomaterial; In vitro model; Tumour microenvironment; decellularized extracellular matrix; hydrogel stiffness; lung cancer
    DOI:  https://doi.org/10.1016/j.mtbio.2026.102838
  17. Nat Commun. 2026 Feb 10.
    Reactive oxygen species-activated bioorthogonal chemistry in living systems enabled by boronate-caged dihydrotetrazines.
    Dongqing Ming, Jiaxue Zhang, Binsong Mu, Dongxue Peng, Yanjun Wang, Yangyang Kong, Wenjing Wang, Ling Chu, Rui Wang, Luping Liu.
      Bioorthogonal chemistry has become a robust toolbox with growing applications in biology and medicine. To meet diverse needs in research, new types of on-demand bioorthogonal reactions capable of responding to biological triggers or exogenous stimuli are highly valuable, to achieve spatial and temporal control over reactions in living systems. Elevated levels of reactive oxygen species have been implicated in aging and multiple diseases, serving as remarkable endogenous triggers for prodrugs, probes and materials, however ROS-activated bioorthogonal ligation remains as a challenge. Here we report a reactive oxygen species activated tetrazine ligation enabled by boronate-caged dihydrotetrazines. Bioorthogonal handle tetrazines can be in situ generated from boronate-caged dihydrotetrazines upon the elevated level of hydrogen peroxide, resulting in spatiotemporal control of subsequent reactions with dienophiles. Using this strategy, a reactive oxygen species triggered construction of proteolysis targeting chimera for targeted degradation of the protein of interest bromodomain-containing protein 4 (BRD4) is successfully established by tagging boronate-caged dihydrotetrazines with a cereblon E3 ligase recruiter. Furthermore, we demonstrate a reactive oxygen species triggered tetrazine ligation enabled tumor-selective drug delivery in both living cells and mice. The present reactive oxygen species responsive delivery of cytotoxin doxorubicin via a click-to-release reaction between boronate-caged dihydrotetrazines and trans-cyclooctene modified doxorubicin shows excellent chemotherapeutic efficacy and safety in suppressing the growth of some tumors, superior to both direct administration of doxorubicin and reactive oxygen species sensitive prodrug of boronate-caged doxorubicin. We expect this reactive oxygen species responsive bioorthogonal reaction will offer compelling opportunities for precision therapy and provide approaches for studying pathogenesis.
    DOI:  https://doi.org/10.1038/s41467-026-68771-z
  18. Langmuir. 2026 Feb 08.
    Hydrogels with Dynamically Tunable Friction Engineered through Regrafting Polymer Brushes.
    Yanru Liu, Yi Zhe Liu, Ling-Bao Xing, Hui Liu, Yang Wu, Shuanhong Ma, Feng Zhou.
      The control of friction in soft materials is critically important for applications such as soft robotics. This work presents a supramolecular hydrogel designed with reforming polymer brushes to achieve dynamically tunable friction. The hydrogel network, based on PAM-co-PAA and integrated with β-cyclodextrin, allows for the reversible grafting of hydrophilic pSPMA brushes via host-guest interaction with adamantane-terminated polymers (Ad-SPMA). This design yields a remarkable reduction in the coefficient of friction (COF), from 0.334 for the pristine gel to 0.0609. Furthermore, because the polymer brushes can be detached and regrafted through the reversible CD-Ad bonds, the lubricating layer can be reloaded upon damage, allowing the friction to be switched between high and low states. This study demonstrates that host-guest chemistry provides a robust mechanism for dynamic friction control via a regrafting brush layer, establishing a new paradigm for tuning hydrogel lubricity.
    DOI:  https://doi.org/10.1021/acs.langmuir.5c06401
  19. Nature. 2026 Feb 11.
    Sub-second volumetric 3D printing by synthesis of holographic light fields.
    Xukang Wang, Yuanzhu Ma, Yihan Niu, Bo Xiong, Anke Zhang, Guoxun Zhang, Yifan Chen, Wei Wei, Lu Fang, Jiamin Wu, Qionghai Dai.
      Volumetric additive manufacturing has emerged as a promising technique for the flexible production of complex structures, with diverse applications in engineering, photonics and biology1,2. However, present methods still face a trade-off between resolution and volumetric build rate, restricting efficient and flexible production of high-resolution 3D structures. Here we propose a method, called digital incoherent synthesis of holographic light fields (DISH), to generate high-resolution 3D light distributions through continuous multi-angle projections with a high-speed rotating periscope without the requirement of sample rotation. The iterative optimization of the holograms for different angles in DISH maintains 19-μm printing resolution across the 1-cm range that is far beyond the depth of field of the objective and enables high-resolution in situ 3D printing of millimetre-scale objects within only 0.6 s. Acrylate materials in a range of viscosities are used to demonstrate the general compatibility of DISH. Integrating DISH with a fluid channel, we achieved mass production of complex and diverse 3D structures within low-viscosity materials, demonstrating its potential for broad applications in diverse fields.
    DOI:  https://doi.org/10.1038/s41586-026-10114-5
  20. Adv Sci (Weinh). 2026 Feb 10. e14506
    Design and Characterization of DX-Tile DNA Nanostar-Based Hydrogels.
    Dylan V Scarton, Alessandra B Coogan, Peter M Touma, Eray O Tulun, Katie A Harrison, Jack Buchen, Richard C Steiner, Christopher R Fellin, Hunter G Mason, Chih-Hsiang Hu, Sally Farag, Xiaoning Yuan, Shailly Jariwala, Remi Veneziano.
      Pure deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA) hydrogels synthesized via the hybridization of multi-arm DNA tiles (DNA nanostars) are uniquely programmable and functionalizable biomaterials, suitable for applications ranging from biosensing to cell-free protein production and soft tissue engineering. However, the full potential offered by DNA molecules in terms of design flexibility and functionalization has not yet been leveraged for pure DNA hydrogels, thus reducing their versatility and broader use. In this study, we introduce multi-arm double-crossover (DX)-tile motifs, often used in wireframe DNA nanoparticles assembly, to enable greater control over the hydrogel's mechanical properties and facilitate functionalization. Specifically, we demonstrate that modifying structural design parameters, such as the arm geometry, length, valency, and linker design, allows for fine control of the elastic modulus and viscoelastic properties of the hydrogels. We also show that their functionalization can be performed without compromising the hydrogels' physical properties and exhibit enhanced mechanical strength and tunable properties, compared to simple duplex-based DNA hydrogels. Furthermore, these DNA hydrogels demonstrated printability and scalability, which pave the way toward the development of novel formulations and bioinks for the rational design of soft tissue engineering scaffolds and broaden the use of DNA hydrogels for other biomedical applications.
    Keywords:  DNA hydrogels; DNA nanotechnology; bioprinting; double‐crossover (DX)‐tile
    DOI:  https://doi.org/10.1002/advs.202514506
  21. Anal Chem. 2026 Feb 10.
    Real-Time Electrochemical Sensing Enabled by Nanoconfined Hydrogels in Solid-State Arrayed Nanochannels.
    Tiantian Hu, Xiaojin Zhang, Shuhan Yang, Yu Dai, Fan Xia.
      Nanochannel sensing holds great promise for chemical and biological detection. However, due to the inherent heterogeneity in pore size and distribution, the signal stability and sensitivity of arrayed-nanochannel sensing remain limited, making it difficult to use for real-time detection. Here, we report a hybrid membrane for real-time detection that is fabricated by filling functional hydrogels into macroporous anodic aluminum oxide (AAO) nanochannels, yielding a rigid-flexible composite architecture. This design utilizes the confinement effect of the AAO framework to restrict hydrogel swelling, thereby establishing stable ion transport pathways. Functional groups in the hydrogel enable the selective capture of target analytes through electrostatic interaction. The synergistic effects of localized charge enrichment and modulated mass transport not only ensure robust and efficient target binding but also establish a linear correlation between the current decay rate and analyte concentration. Consequently, our platform enables highly stable and interference-resistant detection of trace analytes in complex matrices.
    DOI:  https://doi.org/10.1021/acs.analchem.5c07779
  22. Carbohydr Polym. 2026 Apr 15. pii: S0144-8617(26)00031-7. [Epub ahead of print]378 124915
    Tough and stretchable cellulose hydrogels engineered via the synergy of entanglements and cross-links.
    Pingdong Wei, Lei Wang, Hao Zhang, Xinyu Chen, Caizhen Zhu, Jie Cai.
      Hydrogels are attractive for various applications, including engineering artificial tissue, flexible electronic devices, and structural biomaterials, due to their advantageous characteristics such as flexibility, hydrophilicity, and biocompatibility. However, the strengthening and toughening of sustainable crystalline polysaccharide hydrogels remain challenging due to their high water content and limited energy dissipation mechanisms. Here we present a strategy to produce a dual cross-linked cellulose hydrogel with remarkable toughness and stretchability via the synergy of entanglements and cross-links in a hierarchical structure. The cellulose hydrogels are consisted of cellulose chains that strongly interact with each other through physical interactions, while both cellulose chains and long-chain chemical cross-linkers are densely entangled in molecular-scale, which lead to an intertwined nanofibrillar architecture with high content of cellulose II crystalline hydrates in nano- and micro-scale. The resultant macroscale cellulose hydrogels have a water content ranging from 72% to 82%. The maximum values for tensile strength, tensile strain, and work of fracture were 9.5 ± 2 MPa, 267 ± 18%, and 11.7 ± 0.3 MJ/m3, respectively. The strategy suggested in this study has the potential to be extended to other biomacromolecules, thereby enhancing the applicability of structural hydrogels in scenarios that demand superior mechanical properties.
    Keywords:  Aggregate structure; Cellulose; Cross-links; Entanglements; Hydrogels; Mechanical properties
    DOI:  https://doi.org/10.1016/j.carbpol.2026.124915
  23. Small. 2026 Feb 07. e12198
    Fluorescently Labeled Gradient Hydrogels Reveal Matrix-Dependent Cell Responses to Substrate Stiffness.
    Shin Wei Chong, Li Liu, Daryan Kempe, Yingqi Zhang, Kourosh Kalantar-Zadeh, Marcela M M Bilek, Lining Arnold Ju, Maté Biro, Daniele Vigolo.
      Microfabricated stiffness gradient hydrogels hold significant value for advancing mechanobiology, tissue engineering, and in vitro tissue models. However, it remains challenging to design these materials given their broad processing parameter space. The continuum of stiffness values also makes it difficult to precisely correlate the local substrate properties and observed biological responses, often relying on cumbersome characterization methods such as atomic force microscopy. To address these bottlenecks, we present a straightforward thermophoresis-based fabrication strategy to pattern stiffness gradients in a fluorescein isothiocyanate-labeled hydrogel network, which displays a polymer concentration-dependent fluorescence readout. This approach enables quantitative assessment of the gradient formation process and contactless stiffness mapping via standard microscopy imaging. Using gelatin methacryloyl and Gellan gum as model systems, it is shown that substrate stiffness and extracellular matrix protein composition work together to affect 3T3-L1 fibroblast cell morphology and migration, with the underlying hydrogel type also affecting the outcome. By offering a simple and reliable approach for characterizing stiffness gradient hydrogels, this work advances the thermophoretic fabrication platform, opening avenues for new biomaterial systems for understanding and controlling the cell-material interplay.
    Keywords:  fluorescence; hydrogels; mechanobiology; stiffness gradient; thermophoresis
    DOI:  https://doi.org/10.1002/smll.202512198
  24. Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A. 2026 Feb 17. 123(7): e2519094123
    Learning nature's assembly language with polymers.
    Oliver Xie, Alexander E Cohen, Martin Z Bazant, Bradley D Olsen.
      The self-assembly of matter into ordered structures is ubiquitous throughout nature and engineered systems. Programming a material's macroscopic properties via molecular-level structural control is a grand scientific challenge, requiring methods for inverse design that can design a targeted molecule to achieve a given self-assembled structure. One model system that serves as a common proving ground for inverse design algorithms is block copolymers. In these systems, self-consistent field-theory (SCFT) provides a robust thermodynamic model for predicting self-assembly for a given molecular sequence. This work presents a computational algorithm which learns the reverse translation, allowing a target structure to be achieved by varying molecular sequence. The algorithm is based on development of an adjoint solution of the SCFT equations allowing incorporation of automatic differentiation. The power of this algorithm is demonstrated by inverse designing polymer sequences to yield equilibrium structures, resolving the long-standing dilemma of navigating the combinatorial explosion of sequence possibilities offered by complex copolymer designs. The inverse designed sequences show that the algorithm learns to modulate unfavorable block interactions to stabilize these complex morphologies. By learning how to program self-assembly at the molecular-level using only a thermodynamic model, this work opens the door to similar computational inverse design across other soft matter systems.
    Keywords:  block copolymer; inverse design; self-assembly
    DOI:  https://doi.org/10.1073/pnas.2519094123
  25. Langmuir. 2026 Feb 11.
    Cross-Hierarchical Transduction of Dynamic Behaviors from Self-Oscillating Microgels to Colloidosomes.
    Zhouna Tang, Takafumi Enomoto, Takeshi Ueki, Ryota Tamate, Aya Mizutani Akimoto, Ryo Yoshida.
      Inspired by living systems, hierarchical materials have been developed to integrate multiple levels of organization, enabling complex behaviors to emerge from interactions among simpler components. However, understanding how dynamic behaviors are transduced across hierarchical levels in synthetic materials remains a major challenge. Here, we demonstrate the cross-hierarchical transduction of dynamic behaviors in life-like autonomous materials by investigating self-oscillating colloidosomes as a model system. Self-oscillating colloidosomes are composed of self-oscillating microgels, which exhibit autonomous flocculation/dispersion oscillation driven by a self-promoted Belousov-Zhabotinsky reaction at certain temperatures. We identified chemomechanical transduction across hierarchical levels in self-oscillating colloidosomes under out-of-equilibrium conditions. The self-oscillating colloidosomes exhibited swelling/deswelling or shape deformation oscillations in a stochastic manner, originating from flocculation/dispersion oscillations at the microgel level. We found that the choice between these two oscillation modes is determined by the oscillation modes of their constituent self-oscillating microgels. These findings pave the way for the cross-hierarchical design of chemically powered autonomous materials.
    DOI:  https://doi.org/10.1021/acs.langmuir.5c06076
  26. Adv Mater. 2026 Feb 12. e20348
    Modular Opto-Magnetic Oscillators: Harnessing Light to Drive Versatile Materials and Functionalities.
    Ying-Hao Fu, Meng Li, Aniket Pal, Zi-Ting Wang, Tao Wang, Yu Wang, Wen Qiao, Xiaoshi Qian, Yan-Qing Lu.
      Self-sustained oscillations are fundamental to dynamic systems in nature, such as heartbeats, ocean waves, and firefly flashes. However, creating similar autonomous, out-of-equilibrium behaviors across diverse materials and structures in artificial settings remains challenging due to the lack of a universal, platform-independent control method. Here, we present an opto-magnetic feedback control strategy that achieves reliable self-excited oscillations through combined light, magnetic, and mechanical interactions based on a modular design approach. The dynamic, plug-and-play assembly of driving and deforming modules endows the platform with exceptional versatility in material type, structural setup, mechanical response, and functional use. Notably, this system can be tuned to produce continuous or intermittent self-oscillations, demonstrating its adaptability. We showcase the broad utility of the system by integrating optical modules for reconfigurable dynamic displays and wide-field-of-view light scanning, together with a thermo-mechano-electrical transduction module for high-efficiency energy harvesting. The proposed approach establishes a universal feedback pathway linking autonomous soft machines with various technological platforms, enabling on-demand adaptation across different application scenarios.
    Keywords:  modular assembly; multi‐technology interface; opto‐magnetic feedback; self‐sustained oscillation; soft robotics
    DOI:  https://doi.org/10.1002/adma.202520348
  27. Carbohydr Polym. 2026 Apr 15. pii: S0144-8617(26)00083-4. [Epub ahead of print]378 124967
    In situ self-layering bilayer alginate-gelatin hydrogels enabling synergistic adhesion and sensing for pressure distribution recognition.
    Xiaoyong Zhang, Pengsi Zhang, Jiaheng Pu, Feng Liao, Guozheng Pang, Fan Li, Xianglv Hu, Yongping Bai.
      Hydrogel-based wearable devices often struggle to integrate strong adhesion, long-term stability, and reliable sensing within a single system. Here, we present a one-step water-oil phase separation strategy that enables the in situ self-layering of bilayer hydrogels with robust interfacial coupling. The top poly(acrylamide-acrylic acid)-gelatin-alginate (poly(AM-AA)-gelatin-alginate) network provides mechanical resilience and environmental durability, while the bottom poly(butyl acrylate-2-hydroxyethyl acrylate)-glycerol-polycaprolactone methacrylic anhydride (poly(BA-HEA)-GPCL-MA) adhesive layer ensures strong yet reversible adhesion to diverse surfaces. This integrated architecture achieves a rare balance between adhesion, water retention stability, and sensing reliability, overcoming the long-standing trade-off in hydrogel-based electronics. Deformation-induced modulation of ionic conduction pathways endows the hydrogel with sensitive electromechanical sensing, enabling precise human-motion detection and Morse-code communication via controlled finger movements. As proof-of-concept, a 4 × 4 pressure-mapping array was integrated into robotic grippers, enabling tactile feedback to distinguish soft and rigid objects such as balloons and bottles. This work highlights a versatile design strategy for multifunctional hydrogels, paving new opportunities for smart interfaces, advanced human-machine interaction, and adaptive soft robotic systems.
    Keywords:  Antidrying; Hydrogels; Pressure-sensitive adhesive; Robot tactility; Wearable sensors array
    DOI:  https://doi.org/10.1016/j.carbpol.2026.124967
  28. Nat Commun. 2026 Feb 10.
    Laser-stimulated 4D printing of magnetostrictive Fe-Co-V.
    Guiwei Li, Zeyu Yang, Aodu Zheng, Qi Tian, Qi Li, Xin Wang, Wenzheng Wu.
      Magnetostrictive materials hold non-contact stimulation-responsive properties, which exhibit promising prospects in aviation and marine engineering. However, high-end equipment is frequently employed in changeable environments during service. A slight deformation in magnetostrictive effect makes it complicated to meet the demands of macroscopic applications. 4D printing is that the 3D printed object could evolve with time when it is under specific stimuli. Herein, we present a method of 4D printing magnetostrictive materials to endow service parts with laser-responsive macroscopic strain and magnetically responsive microscopic strain. The internal stress in laser powder bed fused magnetostrictive samples can be redistributed via adjusting laser stimulation parameters and scanning strategies. This redistribution induces macroscopic plastic deformation at the selected location. Dynamic control of the samples' microstructure and electromagnetic properties can be accomplished during shape-morphing stimulation. This breakthrough addresses the strain scale limitations of magnetostrictive materials, promoting the cross-scale shape-morphing application of 4D printing in electromagnetic engineering.
    DOI:  https://doi.org/10.1038/s41467-026-69378-0
  29. bioRxiv. 2026 Feb 02. pii: 2026.02.02.703277. [Epub ahead of print]
    In vitro evaluation of Escherichia coli and Staphylococcus aureus translocation in 3D printed material.
    Ashma Sharma, Joshua Prince, A-Andrew D Jones.
      Vascular graft infection is a rare but life threating condition, primarily occurring after 30 days post-surgery. Meta-analysis has shown that antimicrobial coatings on graft materials do not prevent these infections. Moreover, infection still occurs even though studies have also shown that there is no bacterial proliferation on or bacterial penetration of common vascular graft material. The time frame of infection, meta-analysis, and in situ studies suggest that bacteria present at the suture site are introduced into the surrounding tissue or that systemically circulating bacteria may be surviving, proliferating, diffusing slowly, and evading host immune defense in synthetic vascular grafts. De novo vascular graft materials, such as tissue-engineered vascular graft material and decellularized vasculature may provide an in situ platform for studying survival, proliferation, and diffusion in tissue and tissue-like materials. In this study, we use confocal microscopy to image penetration depth of bacteria over time as a proxy for diffusion of Staphylococcus aureus and Escherichia coli into alginate, GelMA, and decellularized porcine vascular tissue. We quantified viable bacteria breakthrough as a function of biomaterial type. We found penetration depth over time was similar in all three biomaterials, however E. coli broke through much less from tissue than from engineered materials, while S. aureus had higher breakthrough in the GelMa but otherwise equal rates. These results point to the possibility of interstitial growth control relative to surface coatings as a future target for engineering infection resistance in engineered vascular grafts.
    DOI:  https://doi.org/10.64898/2026.02.02.703277
  30. Chem Sci. 2026 Feb 06.
    Preparation strategies and biomedical applications of DNA hydrogels.
    Miaomiao Qiu, Jing Wang, Xinchang Pang, Dongsheng Liu, Yuanchen Dong.
      With the progressive development of DNA nanotechnology and synthetic biology, the applications of DNA have expanded from traditional genetics study to materials science. By employing DNA as a structural framework or cross-linking agent, DNA hydrogels retain a hydrophilic three-dimensional (3D) network structure similar to biological tissues, exhibiting high biocompatibility, programmable responsiveness, and specific recognition functions. In this perspective, we summarize the preparation strategies of DNA hydrogels, analyze their application advantages, and highlight recent advances in areas such as cell culture, drug delivery, and tissue engineering. Finally, we discuss the current challenges in DNA hydrogel development and offer insights into future research directions.
    DOI:  https://doi.org/10.1039/d5sc08190d
  31. Small. 2026 Feb 10. e14672
    Self-Healing and pH-Robust Hydrogels Enabled by Synergistic Supramolecular Interactions for Injectable Gastrointestinal Wound Repair.
    Li Xiang, Lei Liu, Shixin Zhang, Yuhao Zhang, Ziqian Zhao, Jiangwei Chen, Jiawen Zhang, Jingyi Hu, Yunfei Chen, Hongbo Zeng.
      Injectable self-healing hydrogels are promising biomaterials for minimally invasive internal wound repair. However, most hydrogels fail in the gastrointestinal tract, where extreme pH fluctuations, from strong acidity to mild alkalinity, disrupt conventional cross-linking interactions and lead to network dissociation. In this work, we report an injectable self-healing and pH-robust hydrogel dressing that withstands diverse gastrointestinal conditions by leveraging cooperative supramolecular interactions. Specifically, the integration of π-cation-π and hydrophobic interactions imparts the hydrogel with exceptional thermo-responsiveness, high injectability, rapid in situ gelation property, and robust self-healing capability, independent of environmental fluctuations. Furthermore, the hydrogel effectively resists bacterial adhesion and prevents biofouling, owing to the strong hydration shell formed by the hydrophilic chains within the network. In vivo studies using rat models demonstrate that the hydrogel readily adapts to both gastric and intestinal wound sites, simplifying the surgical procedure compared with sutures and commercial barrier films, which significantly reduces postoperative complications such as adhesion and inflammation while accelerating the healing of gastrointestinal perforations. This work establishes a supramolecular design strategy for engineering multifunctional, environment-adaptive biomaterials, opening new avenues for internal wound repair and other challenging biomedical applications.
    Keywords:  injectable pH‐robust hydrogels; interfacial adhesion; intermolecular interactions; internal wound dressing; supramolecular assembly
    DOI:  https://doi.org/10.1002/smll.202514672
  32. Nat Commun. 2026 Feb 12.
    A self-powered hydrogel electronic skin with decoupled multimodal sensing for closed-loop human-machine interactions.
    Chenhui Bai, Xinyu Dong, Quyang Liu, Ming Zhao, Kun Yang, Yu Niu, Hulin Zhang, Wei Zhai.
      Bridging biological and artificial systems, intelligent interfaces drive the demand for flexible electronics that emulate the skin's multifunctionality. However, achieving such multifunctionality in a compact, self-sustained form remains challenging, as multimodal sensors often rely on rigid materials, discrete components, and external power sources. Herein, this study presents a single-component poly(vinyl alcohol) hydrogel e-skin integrating thermogalvanic, piezoionic, and diffusion mechanisms for self-powered sensing of skin temperature, arterial pulsation, and sweat secretion, simultaneously. The hydrogel features high stretchability, low modulus, and a prismatic architecture synergizing ionic polarization. Moreover, a temporal machine learning model with local attention is developed to decouple multimodal signals. Of practical importance, an active multimodal signal generator wristband is developed as a multifunctional human-machine interface for physiological detection, robotic control, and haptic feedback reproduction. Hence, this hydrogel e-skin represents an efficient material platform for intelligent interactions, showing broad potential for real-time health monitoring, robotic control, and virtual reality.
    DOI:  https://doi.org/10.1038/s41467-026-69450-9
  33. Adv Sci (Weinh). 2026 Feb 10. e22850
    Engineered Strain in 2D Materials by Direct Growth on Deterministically Patterned Grayscale Topographies.
    Berke Erbas, Arindam Bala, Hernan Furci, Anushree Dutta, Naresh Kumar, Renato Zenobi, Giovanni Boero, Andras Kis, Juergen Brugger.
      Strain is a proven technique for modifying the bandgap and enhancing carrier mobility in 2D materials. Most current strain engineering techniques rely on the post-growth transfer of these atomically thin materials from growth substrates to target surfaces, limiting their integration into nanoelectronics. Here, we present a new approach where strain in 2D materials is already introduced directly during their growth on grayscale-patterned topographies instead of flat surfaces. Both strain levels and orientations are deterministically engineered by controlling grayscale surface contour lengths through thermal expansion mismatches in nanostructured stacks, where the conformally grown and firmly attached 2D material is forced to match the underlying morphology change during cooling. With this method, we experimentally demonstrate precise control of localized tensile strain from 0 to 0.5% in grown MoS2 monolayer along both uni- and multiaxial directions, while higher strain levels are shown to be theoretically possible. This strain-engineered growth of 2D material films directly on the target substrates is a generic and adaptable approach to various combinations of grayscale-thin-film/substrates and eliminates all the transfer-related limitations of previous approaches, thus paving the way for integrating strained 2D materials into next-generation nanoelectronics.
    Keywords:  2D materials; grayscale nanopatterning; strain engineering; strain‐engineered 2D material growth
    DOI:  https://doi.org/10.1002/advs.202522850
  34. ACS Nano. 2026 Feb 11.
    Smart DNA Hydrogel-Responsive Encoding Enables Portable Nucleic Acid Detection.
    Jie Luo, Yu Tang, Hongzhao Yang, Shuang Zhao, Ping Huang, Zuowei Xie, Jingsen Cao, Jiaqi Liu, Jing Sheng, Ruijia Deng, Ben Niu, Meilin Gong, Dan Luo, Xiaoqi Tang, Ming Chen, Kai Chang.
      DNA hydrogels are promising materials for biosensing, but translating their molecular recognition capabilities into portable diagnostics is hindered by slow target diffusion, signal constraints, and bulk architecture. Here, we present a smart DNA hydrogel-responsive sensing platform termed Q-RAPID (Quick Response Analysis for Pathogen Identification Device) for portable nucleic acid detection. Q-RAPID integrates three functional modules. A paper-based module acts as a capillary-driven scaffold, miniaturizing the hydrogel matrix to accelerate target delivery and enhance molecular transport. A hydrogel sensing module spatially confines target-specific DNA hybridization, enabling programmable strand displacement that triggers a cascading colorimetric reaction for amplified visual output. A digital output module translates the colorimetric result into a smartphone-readable quick response (QR) code, allowing for automated classification and wireless reporting via integrated algorithms. In tests with a viral pseudovirus model and 100 clinical specimens, Q-RAPID identified target nucleic acids with 91% sensitivity, 97.3% precision, and 95% concordance were observed in the pseudovirus combination tests. The platform's reconfigurable design allows detection of diverse respiratory pathogens and could broaden the reach of rapid molecular diagnostics in various healthcare settings, including resource-limited environments.
    Keywords:  DNA hydrogel; intelligent digital analysis; nucleic acid detection; paper-based microfluidics; point of care testing
    DOI:  https://doi.org/10.1021/acsnano.5c19856
  35. bioRxiv. 2026 Feb 07. pii: 2026.02.06.703857. [Epub ahead of print]
    Regenerative base editing enables deep lineage recording.
    Duncan M Chadly, Ron Hadas, Leslie Klock, Jiahe Yue, Felix Horns, Amjad Askary, Alejandro A Granados, Remco Bouckaert, Carlos Lois, Long Cai, Michael B Elowitz.
      Reconstructing the lineage histories of individual cells can reveal the dynamics of developmental and disease processes. In engineered recording systems, cells stochastically edit synthetic barcode sequences as they proliferate, creating distinct, heritable edit patterns that can be used to reconstruct the lineage trees relating individual cells in a manner analogous to phylogenetic reconstruction. However, recording depth is often limited by the kinetics of the editing process: the rate of editing declines exponentially over time for an array of independently editable targets, leading to most edits occurring in early generations. Here, we introduce the hypercascade, a regenerative molecular recording system that takes advantage of the predictability of A-to-G base editing to progressively create new target sites over time. The hypercascade packs 4 editable target sites in every 20 bp of sequence, enabling high density information storage. More importantly, the hypercascade's regenerative logic leads to an approximately constant rate of mutation accumulation over time. This in turn facilitates reconstruction of deep lineage relationships. We demonstrate this by reconstructing trees spanning 23 days of editing and approximately 17 generations after a single polyclonal engineering step. Finally, simulations show that the hypercascade has the potential to record chromatin state transition dynamics across multiple genomic loci in parallel. The hypercascade thus provides a flexible and broadly useful tool for molecular recording.
    DOI:  https://doi.org/10.64898/2026.02.06.703857
  36. bioRxiv. 2026 Feb 04. pii: 2026.02.02.703383. [Epub ahead of print]
    Gene sharing during enzyme recruitment reveals distinct adaptive strategies including massive, sustained duplication without divergence.
    Carley Z Reid, Diego A R Zorio, Brian G Miller.
      Organisms expand their metabolism by repurposing enzymes to perform new reactions. To be repurposed, an enzyme must balance its original and new functions if both contribute to fitness. If an enzyme cannot balance its functions, another candidate may take its place. Here, we used adaptive evolution on a glucokinase-deficient Escherichia coli containing four promiscuous surrogates to investigate enzyme recruitment when the preferred candidate, N -acetyl-D-mannosamine kinase (NanK), is under selective pressure to maintain its original function. We find that NanK is still recruited to restore glycolysis under conditions requiring both functions via two distinct mechanisms that leave native activity largely unaltered. In one mechanism, small-scale gene amplification precedes the appearance of two non-synonymous mutations in nanK that increase glucokinase activity but have little or no effect on N -acetyl-D-mannosamine kinase activity. In another mechanism, recruitment occurs via amplification of a ∼1000 base pair fragment that narrowly encompasses nanK and reaches copy numbers as high as 127. Despite maintenance of amplification for hundreds of generations, we observe no persistent mutations in any nanK duplicate at the level of resolution provided by 75X whole genome sequencing coverage. Our results demonstrate that gene sharing can alter the trajectory but not necessarily prevent the recruitment of a preferred promiscuous candidate during adaptive evolution when other, seemingly equal candidates are available. Our findings also reveal that evolution by Innovation-Amplification-Divergence may only be facilitated at moderate levels of gene amplification, and hindered by massive amplification, as increased gene copy number diminishes returns of individual adaptive point mutations. Classification: Evolution, Biochemistry.
    Significance: The Innovation-Amplification-Divergence model posits that single multifunctional enzymes evolve into multiple monofunctional enzymes through two events: First, selective pressure on a multifunctional enzyme leads to a duplication of the gene encoding that enzyme in an organism's genome. Second, the duplicate gene copy can freely accumulate mutations that enhance one of the encoded enzyme's functions while the original copy can accumulate mutations that enhance the enzyme's other encoded function. Intriguingly, our results reveal sequence divergence only in cells that experience mild amplification, and no divergence in cells that experience massive amplification. This suggests that sequence divergence may be suppressed above a certain number of gene copies, providing a new perspective on a widely accepted theory of evolution.
    DOI:  https://doi.org/10.64898/2026.02.02.703383
  37. Adv Sci (Weinh). 2026 Feb 08. e14481
    The Role of Ionic Liquids at the Biological Interfaces in Bioelectronics.
    Yeong-Sinn Ye, Young Jin Jo, Ji Yeon Oh, Ju Yeon Jeong, Lili Guo, Tae-Il Kim.
      The growing demand for personalized healthcare and neurophysiological monitoring is accelerating the advancement of intelligent bioelectronic technologies capable of interacting precisely with biological systems. The human body, as a complex multicellular organism, performs diverse and regulated physiological functions. These biological systems rely on tightly regulated ion-based mechanisms to respond to stimuli, perceive sensory inputs, and maintain homeostasis. The human nervous system operates as a biologically optimized information processing network with remarkable energy efficiency and adaptability. Efforts to artificially replicate such physiological mechanisms have become a central focus in the development of bioelectronics that establish precise ion-based interactions with living tissues. Accordingly, this review highlights ionic liquids (ILs) as artificial ionic materials that play a pivotal role in bridging ion-based signal transmission in biological systems with the electron-based operation of electronic devices. To realize integrated and multifunctional interfaces capable of engaging with a wide range of biological tissues, a comprehensive understanding of the composition-structure-function relationships and elucidation of the precise working mechanisms of ILs is imperative. Through this, ILs may evolve beyond their traditional role as electrolytes into core platform materials for bioinspired electronic systems that integrate sensing, actuation, and adaptive intelligence.
    Keywords:  bioelectronics; biological interfaces; biomimetic engineering; ionic liquids; ion‐transport; neuromorphic systems
    DOI:  https://doi.org/10.1002/advs.202514481
  38. Nanomicro Lett. 2026 Feb 09. 18(1): 249
    Bioinspired Structural Design Enables Synergistic Toughness and Conductivity in Hydrogels for Advanced Wearable Electronics.
    Yi Liu, Xuchen Wang, Junjie Wang, Zhuang Li, Kelong Ao, Guangwei Liang, Haiqing Liu, Qirui Zhang, Mengjiao Pan, Dahua Shou.
      Conductive hydrogels are revolutionizing the fields of wearable sensors, implantable bioelectronics, and soft robotics. However, achieving both mechanical robustness and high conductivity within a single system remains challenging. Here, inspired by the cooperative vascular-neural networks in biological tissues, we develop a nanofiber-reinforced conductive hydrogel composed of poly(vinyl alcohol) (PVA), aramid nanofibers (ANFs), and in situ polymerized PEDOT:PSS. Through solvent- and thermally induced structural reorganization, the hydrogel evolves into a bi-continuous architecture in which the mechanical and conductive networks are intimately coupled. The tough, ANF-reinforced porous PVA mimics the vascular system, providing mechanical support and maintaining toughness, while the poly(3,4-ethylenedioxythiophene) (PEDOT) network resembles neural pathways, enabling efficient electron transport. This structural evolution enables a rare synergy of high tensile strength (10.72 MPa) and ultrahigh conductivity (452.75 S m-1) with excellent biocompatibility. The hydrogel maintains stable conduction under impact and complex deformation, supporting multimodal sensing from large-amplitude joint motion to low-amplitude electrophysiological signals: electrocardiographic and electromyographic. When integrated with a convolutional neural network, it achieves 99.54% accuracy in recognizing five complex hand gestures. This bioinspired strategy paves the way for developing robust and conductive hydrogels toward next-generation intelligent wearable electronics.
    Keywords:  Bioinspired design; Conductive hydrogel; Gesture recognition; Mechanical–electrical synergy; Wearable electronics
    DOI:  https://doi.org/10.1007/s40820-026-02094-y
  39. bioRxiv. 2026 Feb 02. pii: 2026.01.30.702717. [Epub ahead of print]
    Hydrogel-imposed boundary conditions guide single-lumen neuroepithelial morphogenesis.
    Michelle S Huang, Julien G Roth, Dohui Kim, Kristine P Pashin, Dominic Pizzarella, Tianming M Yang, Yueming Liu, Renato S Navarro, Theo D Palmer, Sarah C Heilshorn.
      Three-dimensional (3D) stem cell-based cultures have emerged as promising in vitro model systems for studying human neurodevelopment. Current neural organoid protocols lack well-defined extracellular matrix (ECM) signaling and are limited by the formation of irregular tissue morphologies with multiple organizing centers, in contrast to the single neuroepithelial structure that emerges during embryonic development. This variability limits inter-organoid reproducibility and constrains their utility for modeling early developmental processes. To overcome these limitations, we leverage a materials-based approach to impose dynamic boundary conditions that extrinsically guide the self-organization of human induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSCs). Specifically, we develop a family of hyaluronic acid-elastin-like protein (HELP) hydrogels crosslinked with dynamic covalent bonds that recapitulate key biochemical and biophysical properties of the developing human neural ECM. Within these HELP hydrogels, iPSCs robustly self-organize from a single cell into complex neuroepithelial tissues with a single lumen. By tuning the boundary conditions imposed by the hydrogel, we identify matrix stress relaxation rate and tensional homeostasis as key regulators of single-lumen rosette formation and maintenance. With this hydrogel-enabled system, we identify phenotypic abnormalities in an early neurodevelopmental model of 22q11.2 deletion syndrome. Ultimately, our tunable engineered hydrogel supports the initiation of single-cell derived 3D neuroepithelial tissues, enables investigation into how matrix-imposed boundary conditions guide developmental morphogenesis, and establishes a reproducible platform for disease modeling.
    DOI:  https://doi.org/10.64898/2026.01.30.702717
  40. ACS Appl Bio Mater. 2026 Feb 09.
    Microfluidic Based In Situ Synthesis of Magneto-Responsive Microcarrier Hydrogel Bead and its Cell Seeding Applications.
    Sayan Ganguly, Fatemeh Parniani, Li Yan Wong, Xiaowu Shirley Tang.
      This study presents an approach to the synthesis of nanocomposite magnetic hydrogel microbeads using a microfluidic-assisted droplet method followed by in situ gelation in a heated oil column. The beads were fabricated from a semi-interpenetrating polymer network (semi-IPN) comprising gelatin, and vinylic monomers, with incorporation of iron oxide nanoparticles (Fe3O4) synthesized via coprecipitation. The unique combination of pressure-mediated bead formation and controlled gelation kinetics enabled tunable porosity, as validated through SEM and pore size distribution analysis, where increased oil column height yielded narrower pore distributions due to enhanced gelation. Magnetic characterization confirmed strong superparamagnetic behavior, while FTIR and XRD analyses verified successful chemical integration of the polymeric and nanoparticle components. Rheological studies revealed enhanced elasticity and network strength in nanoparticle-loaded hydrogels, and swelling/deswelling tests, fitted with first-order and exponential decay models, demonstrated reversible, magnetically tunable water uptake. Furthermore, in vitro cell culture studies showed excellent cell attachment and proliferation on the bead surface, facilitated by the porous, wrinkled morphology. Collectively, these multifunctional beads exhibit significant promise for applications in cell delivery, magnetically guided therapies, and responsive tissue engineering platforms.
    Keywords:  cell attachment; in situ gelation; magnetic hydrogel beads; microfluidics-based synthesis; semi-interpenetrating polymer network (semi-IPN)
    DOI:  https://doi.org/10.1021/acsabm.5c01848
  41. Nano Lett. 2026 Feb 10.
    Uncovering Design and Assembly Rules for mRNA-DNA Origami.
    Jack Y Wang, Jared Huzar, Myoungseok Kim, Taeyoung Ryu, Nahtalee R Lomeli, Derfogail Delcassian, Do-Nyun Kim, Grigory Tikhomirov.
      mRNA-DNA hybrid origami enables integration of the RNA functionality into programmable DNA nanostructures, yet robust design and assembly rules remain lacking. Here, we systematically define parameters governing the high-yield formation of compact mRNA-DNA hybrid origami. Using mature mRNAs encoding firefly luciferase, enhanced green fluorescent protein (EGFP), and mCherry as scaffolds, we designed five architectures spanning varied sizes, shapes, crossover geometries, and packing densities. We identify asymmetric A-form crossovers, monovalent-cation-rich buffers, and moderate-temperature annealing as critical for suppressing RNA degradation and kinetic trapping while accommodating RNA-DNA helical geometry. Atomic force microscopy confirms monodisperse, well-folded nanostructures with nanoscale precision comparable to that of DNA origami. These results establish generalizable design rules and a standardized synthesis protocol for mRNA-DNA hybrid origami.
    Keywords:  DNA nanotechnology; DNA origami; mRNA; mRNA−DNA; self-assembly
    DOI:  https://doi.org/10.1021/acs.nanolett.5c05607
  42. Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A. 2026 Feb 17. 123(7): e2530530123
    Bimodal dynamics of viscous pearls.
    Auriane Huyghues Despointes, Abhijit Kumar Kushwaha, Jérôme Fresnais, Tadd Truscott, David Quéré.
      Droplets on super-repellent materials adopt the shape of pearls, which makes them highly mobile, owing to the conjunction of low contact line pinning with small dynamical friction. This property is especially valuable when drops are viscous, a case where we expect super-repellency to minimize the friction associated with viscosity. Here, we report that viscous droplets on highly repellent inclines can have two modes of descent, depending on the way they are deposited: either they run at the fast speed expected for pearls or they are 30 to 60 times quicker, which defines a super-fast regime of motion. We show that this effect relies on the tenuousness of the contact with the substrate. Consequently, this contact can be dynamically "erased" by the insertion of a cushion of air, which makes droplets glide at a speed both high and independent of their viscosity. We characterize these lubricating films (thickness and onset of appearance) and finally show that super-fast pearls initiated on a superhydrophobic (SH) surface can maintain their velocity and shape even on a hydrophilic solid.
    Keywords:  aerodynamics; drops; dynamics; repellency; viscosity
    DOI:  https://doi.org/10.1073/pnas.2530530123
  43. Nat Mater. 2026 Feb 12.
    Diverse polymers with chemical recyclability via regioirregular polymerization of a single monomer.
    Hua-Zhong Fan, Jia-An-Qi Zhou, Yi-Min Tu, Jia-Hao Chen, Jun-Ming Liu, Zhongzheng Cai, Jian-Bo Zhu.
      The development of polymer products with a circular economy lifecycle represents a path to alleviate the growing plastic waste and energy crisis. However, long-standing challenges include synthesis scalability, tunable material performance and the feasibility of chemical recycling from mixed products. Here we developed a facile regioirregular polymerization strategy to access diverse polymer structures from a single monomer via regioselectivity and dynamic covalent bond exchange. We were able to synthesize polyurethanes (PUx, where x represents the percentage of urethane linkages in the polymer) with tailored urethane contents by modulating the reaction time for the regioirregular polymerization of tetramethylene urethane. The resulting PUx products showcase remarkable composition-dependent material performance, illustrating high strength, toughness and gas barriers comparable with commercial plastics. In particular, PU57 exhibits superior adhesive strength, outperforming commercial glues. Notably, these diverse PUx products could be converted back to a single monomer, representing a proof-of-concept process for a 'single monomer ↔ multiple polymers' closed loop.
    DOI:  https://doi.org/10.1038/s41563-026-02498-6
  44. Sci Adv. 2026 Feb 13. 12(7): eaec6957
    Tunable 3D optohydrodynamic torques from optical phase gradient-driven colloidal assemblies.
    Xiao Li, Chenchen Liu, Zongpeng Huang, Jack Ng, Fan Nan.
      Optohydrodynamic manipulation offers a versatile, noninvasive, and reconfigurable approach for controlling microscopic objects. Here, we present a strategy for generating tunable three-dimensional optohydrodynamic torques through phase gradient-driven nanoparticle assemblies. Using programmable optical ring vortices (Laguerre-Gaussian beams), we assemble and rotate colloidal clusters with certain particle numbers, whose induced hydrodynamic flows apply switchable in-plane and out-of-plane torques on target particles. Torque control is achieved via two mechanisms: (i) reversing the handedness of circular polarization to break rotational symmetry and (ii) displacing optical ring vortices and modulating cluster rotation speed. These complementary controls provide robust, high-resolution torques tuned in arbitrary directions. As a proof of concept, we demonstrate full three-dimensional orientation control of a single cell. This framework greatly expands the capabilities of optohydrodynamic systems by explicitly incorporating light-driven interparticle interactions and establishes a foundation for advanced applications in biophysics, microrobotics, and biomedical engineering.
    DOI:  https://doi.org/10.1126/sciadv.aec6957
  45. Bioresour Technol. 2026 Feb 09. pii: S0960-8524(26)00252-X. [Epub ahead of print]446 134171
    Cross-scale modeling of bacteria-contaminant spatiotemporal dynamics in 3D bioprinted hydrogel for dye biodegradation.
    Weihao Guo, Ya-Nan Hou, Wei Xing, Ran Xu, Jinfeng Ma, Ai-Jie Wang, Nanqi Ren, Cong Huang.
      Three-dimensional (3D) bioprinting enables precise construction of functional biohydrogels, yet effective simulation bacterial dynamics within these structures remains challenging. Here, we developed a novel gelatin/cellulose/sodium alginate (GCSA) biohydrogel incorporating Shewanella oneidensis MR-1 with superior mechanical properties and biocompatibility. Using Direct Blue 71 (DB71) as a model contaminant, we demonstrated efficient bioremediation while elucidating protective mechanisms through comprehensive experimental characterization. We established a cross-scale "hydrogel-bacteria-digital model" framework integrating high-quality genome-scale metabolic model (GEM) with Computation Of Microbial Ecosystems in Time and Space (COMETS) simulation to bridge bacterial growth distribution and contaminant diffusion within biohydrogel microenvironments. This approach revealed fundamental mechanisms governing bacteria-pollutant interactions across multiple scales, validated optimal porous architecture for enhanced mass transfer, and demonstrated that biohydrogel encapsulation reduces bacterial oxidative stress while promoting metabolic activity. The framework exhibits flexibility and extensibility in addressing complex environmental challenges while advancing fundamental understanding of cross-scale interactions in engineered biological systems.
    Keywords:  3D bioprinting; Bacterial dynamics; Biohydrogel; Environmental biotechnology; Genome-scale metabolic model
    DOI:  https://doi.org/10.1016/j.biortech.2026.134171
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