bims-enlima Biomed News
on Engineered living materials
Issue of 2026–04–05
thirty-two papers selected by
Rahul Kumar, Tallinna Tehnikaülikool
  1. Engineered biofilm-based living hydrogel for bioprinting.
  2. Programmable Soft Matter: Shaping Function.
  3. Stimuli-triggered formation of de novo-designed protein biomaterials.
  4. Gradient Multinozzle 3D Printing.
  5. Autonomous Cargo Transport with Biohybrid Microswimmers Enabled by Light-Mediated Bacteria-Cargo Communication.
  6. Hydrogels find their inner magnetism.
  7. Programmable Synthesis of DNA Networks in Giant Vesicles via Rolling Circle Amplification.
  8. Engineering multiple levels of specificity in an RNA viral vector.
  9. Shaping soft hydrogels into 3D, multiscale, perfusable models using multimodal printing.
  10. Adaptable sliding hydrogels enable pericellular pocket formation while enhancing MSC chondrogenesis and survival in 3D.
  11. Superior Impact-Resistant Composite Hydrogels Through an Ionic Coupling Strategy.
  12. A general and scalable DNA nano-chip with a fully localized architecture enables biocomputing in living cells and precisely induces cell apoptosis.
  13. Small-molecule binding and sensing with a designed protein family.
  14. Programmable macromolecule delivery via engineered trogocytosis.
  15. Protecting cells at the genetic level and simulating unauthorized access via a biohackathon.
  16. Modulating 3D-printability with nanocellulose hydrogels.
  17. Sensing and perturbing mammalian cell states with reprogrammable ADAR sensors (RADARS).
  18. Inertial sensing of water content in tumor spheroids.
  19. Suspension polymerization of bioelectronic interfaces on living cells.
  20. Graphene-Oxide-Based Interfacial GO-Polymer Assemblies Stabilize Pickering Emulsions for 3D-Printed Multifunctional Cryogels.
  21. Direct Polymer-on-Polymer Grafting of Polyolefins under Visible Light.
  22. Engineering and Exploring Hydrolytic Degradation in 3D-Printed Liquid Crystalline Elastomers.
  23. Living Hydrogels: Harnessing Microorganism-Material Synergy for Next-Generation Therapeutics.
  24. Bovine Serum Albumin Crosslinked Hydrogels with Enhanced Mechanical Properties for Skin Bioelectronics.
  25. When Matter Builds Itself: Blueprints from Life to Materials.
  26. Bio-Inspired Design of Robust, Transparent Nanofibrous Air Filters for High-Efficiency Particulate Matter Capture.
  27. Single-cell morphodynamical trajectories enable prediction of gene expression accompanying cell state change.
  28. Large-Scale Distribution of Physical Data Using DNA-of-Things Technology in Newspaper Printing.
  29. Function Meets Circularity: Metal-Ionomer Cross-Links Toughen and Recycle CO2‑Derived Polymers.
  30. Modeling tumor transport and growth with poroelastic biopolymer networks.
  31. Matrix stiffening toolbox: dynamic hydrogels for three-dimensional cell culture with real-time cell response.
  32. Cured by blood.
  1. Colloids Surf B Biointerfaces. 2026 Mar 30. pii: S0927-7765(26)00254-7. [Epub ahead of print]264 115666
    Engineered biofilm-based living hydrogel for bioprinting.
    Xinxin Hao, Zahra Abdali, Mario Alfonso Arenas Garcia, Dalia Jane Saldanha, Coralie Jabra Khabbaz, Noémie-Manuelle Dorval Courchesne.
      Incorporating genetically modifiable microbial biomass with polymeric hydrogel matrices offers a simple strategy for both bottom-up and top-down approaches in functional living hydrogel materials design. In this work, we designed a two-part living hydrogel, consisting of a non-living hydrogel matrix and engineered living biofilms. We used polyvinylpyrrolidone (PVP), gelatin, and agar to make a composite polymeric hydrogel matrix. Then we incorporated genetically engineered functional Escherichia coli (E. coli) biofilms containing cells and curli fibers into the hydrogel matrix. We investigated the physical and mechanical properties of the living hydrogel material with various formulations. The results showed that this viscoelastic living hydrogel with shear-thinning properties and storage modulus in the range between a few hundred and thousand Pa was suitable for extrusion-base bioprinting. The living hydrogel can absorb water about 5 times its dry weight and disintegrate quickly by 50% within 8 h of water immersion. We also demonstrated that the incorporated cells maintained their viability and ability to express recombinant curli fusion proteins after printing. The incorporated genetically engineered biofilms also maintained their fluorescence and pH response. This work provides a promising foundation for the development of functional living materials and can serve as a useful reference for environmental sensing applications requiring responsive and biologically active hydrogel systems.
    Keywords:  Biofilm; Bioprinting; Engineered living materials; Living hydrogels; Responsive hydrogels
    DOI:  https://doi.org/10.1016/j.colsurfb.2026.115666
  2. Matter. 2026 Jan 07. pii: 102526. [Epub ahead of print]9(1):
    Programmable Soft Matter: Shaping Function.
    T S Hebner, T J White, M D Dickey, R C Hayward, T H Ware.
      Motivated by living systems that employ shape morphing to adapt to changes in environmental conditions, we review approaches to realize shape change in polymeric soft materials. We classify these shape morphing materials as those that respond extrinsically, release stored energy, or respond intrinsically. Furthermore, many of the biological functions that serve as inspiration for shape morphing are executed via integrated sensing, feedback, and mechanical response mechanisms. We classify these biological systems as having autonomous multifunctionality due to the lack of need for external intervention in implementing their shape morphing functions in dynamic environments. In that context, we highlight recent reports that introduce varying degrees of autonomy into responsive shape-changing materials. These advances offer a blueprint for materials that sense, decide, and evolve within their environment.
    Keywords:  Multifunctional polymers; autonomous response; programmable soft matter; shape morphing; stimuli-responsive materials
    DOI:  https://doi.org/10.1016/j.matt.2025.102526
  3. Cell Biomater. 2026 Jan 20. pii: 100239. [Epub ahead of print]2(1):
    Stimuli-triggered formation of de novo-designed protein biomaterials.
    Nicole E Gregorio, Zhe Li, Jack W Hoye, David Baker, Cole A DeForest.
      Protein-based biomaterials have risen in popularity in recent years owing to their genetic encodability, sequence specificity, monodispersity, and ability to interface with biological systems in comparison with synthetic polymer-based materials. Though naturally derived and minimally engineered proteins have been at the forefront of these efforts, recent advances in computational protein design offer exciting opportunities for next-generation biomaterial development. In this work, we employ de novo protein design methodologies to generate a suite of self-assembling multimeric proteins, whose step-growth heteropolymerization into bulk hydrogels and condensates can be exogenously triggered through small-molecule addition. Our results highlight how changes in programmed multimer valency and their triggered assembly yield materials with varying structures and viscoelasticity. We anticipate that these approaches will prove useful in rapidly generating large libraries of stimuli-responsive biomaterials that are precisely tailored to specific applications in the biosciences and beyond.
    DOI:  https://doi.org/10.1016/j.celbio.2025.100239
  4. bioRxiv. 2026 Mar 24. pii: 2026.03.21.712762. [Epub ahead of print]
    Gradient Multinozzle 3D Printing.
    Luca Rosalia, Soham Sinha, Jonathan D Weiss, Senming Hsia, Fredrik S Solberg, Amit Sharir, Masufumi Shibata, Jianyi Du, Katelyn Mosle, Dominic Rütsche, Zi Chang Rao, Tony Tam, Trenton Rankin, Qiuling Wang, Christian M Williams, John H Klich, Alexander K Reed, Eric A Appel, Michael Ma, Mark A Skylar-Scott.
      Direct ink writing is compatible with an expansive materials palette. While enabling diverse applications, this materials versatility brings significant bottlenecks in ink formulation, often requiring the mixing, printing, and testing of dozens to hundreds of ink compositions over the course of a project. To accelerate ink-space exploration, we introduce gradient embedded multinozzle (GEM) printheads that combine the high-throughput parallelized printing of multinozzles with combinatorial ink mixing. These printheads allow simultaneous mixing of two-, three-, and four-input inks which are distributed to printer nozzles to create complex 3D structures with graded compositions of inks. Using a two-way GEM printhead, we vali-date cell compatibility by printing scaffolds containing various concentrations of fibroblasts and observing non-linear compaction behaviours. We next test a three-way GEM multinozzle to print ten compositions of di- and multi-functionalized poly(ethylene-glycol) diacrylate hydrogel tri-leaflet valves, optimizing for stiffness, swelling ratio, and toughness. Our GEM multinozzles are compatible with open-source printers and either pressure- or volume-driven extrusion systems and promise to accelerate iterative ink design and testing.
    DOI:  https://doi.org/10.64898/2026.03.21.712762
  5. Adv Mater. 2026 Mar 30. e72950
    Autonomous Cargo Transport with Biohybrid Microswimmers Enabled by Light-Mediated Bacteria-Cargo Communication.
    Xiaoran Zheng, Yanjun Zheng, Ali Heidari, Seraphine V Wegner.
      Biohybrid microswimmers, which integrate the unique mobility and taxis of living cells with the versatility of synthetic cargo, offer exciting opportunities for targeted delivery. However, current biohybrids lack autonomous decision-making capabilities due to the absence of communication between living and synthetic components. Here, we report biohybrid microswimmers capable of self-regulating cargo pickup, transport, and release through light-mediated communication between bacteria and cargo. The genetically engineered Escherichia coli bacteria act as senders, converting dynamic changes in the concentration of a model toxin, Hg2+, into a cellular light signal. The cargo, composed of small unilamellar vesicles (SUVs), is functionalized with a photoswitchable membrane-binding protein to perceive the light signal. By interfacing the two components, the bacteria can dynamically signal the presence of Hg2+ to the SUVs, triggering their attachment to bacteria and biohybrid assembly. The inherent negative chemotaxis of bacteria to Hg2+ directs the transport of cargo toward low Hg2+ environments, where the cessation of light signaling prompts cargo release. This autonomous cargo transport is governed by an emerging self-regulatory network, combining light-mediated communication between cargo and bacteria with bacterial chemotaxis. The modular biohybrid microswimmer design paves the way for advanced microrobotic systems in which synthetic and living components coordinate their actions.
    Keywords:  BcLOV4; autonomous cargo delivery; biohybrids; light‐mediated communication; microrobots
    DOI:  https://doi.org/10.1002/adma.72950
  6. Nat Mater. 2026 Apr 03.
    Hydrogels find their inner magnetism.
    Stephen J Blundell.
      
    DOI:  https://doi.org/10.1038/s41563-026-02572-z
  7. Nano Lett. 2026 Apr 01.
    Programmable Synthesis of DNA Networks in Giant Vesicles via Rolling Circle Amplification.
    Mallikarjuna Reddy Kesama, Jeffery L Guo, Anusha, Yancheng Du, Chengde Mao, Jong Hyun Choi.
      We present a biomimetic vesicular platform that can act as a programmable microreactor via rolling circle amplification (RCA). The RCA signal drives the construction of long DNA chains within a giant vesicle, which are organized into an internal network for structural reinforcement, resembling the cytoskeleton inside a cell that provides structural stability, adaptive responses, and mechanical strength. This emergent structure increases the rigidity of synthetic vesicles by an order of magnitude over pristine vesicles, coupling molecular-scale biochemical activity with mesoscale mechanical behavior. DNA origami nanopores create synthetic compartments that exhibit life-like functions, demonstrating molecular transport and linking the vesicle cavity with external environments for controlled amplification. This work shows that it is possible to create synthetic cells that possess both functional regulation and mechanical feedback, opening new opportunities in synthetic biology, biomanufacturing, and bioinspired materials.
    Keywords:  DNA nanotechnology; DNA origami; Rolling circular amplification; biomanufacturing; mechanics; vesicles
    DOI:  https://doi.org/10.1021/acs.nanolett.6c00726
  8. Nat Commun. 2026 Apr 02.
    Engineering multiple levels of specificity in an RNA viral vector.
    Lucy S Chong, Jeewoo Kang, Michaela H Ince, Matthew S Kim, Xiaojing J Gao, Michael B Elowitz.
      Engineered molecular circuits encoded in RNA can act as programmable therapeutics that sense cellular states and elicit precise responses within diseased cells. However, their application depends critically on systems for delivering circuits into cells. Here, we engineer a model delivery system based on the rabies virus that incorporates multiple levels of control over the viral life cycle and cargo. We demonstrate controlled release of viral vectors from sender cells, conditional entry into target cells based on cell-surface proteins, restricted viral replication governed by intracellular protein content, and an escaper-resistant mechanism for viral elimination with drugs. In parallel, we integrate RNA-sensing and protease-controlled circuits to regulate cargo expression and activity at post-transcriptional and post-translational levels. Together, these strategies illustrate how viral and protein engineering can establish multi-level control at both the viral and cargo levels to facilitate specificity in future therapeutic RNA delivery systems.
    DOI:  https://doi.org/10.1038/s41467-026-71033-7
  9. Biofabrication. 2026 Apr 02.
    Shaping soft hydrogels 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 tradeoffs 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.
    Keywords:  digital light projection; hydrogel; multimodal hybrid printer; multiscale printing; organ-on-a-chip; two photon ablation
    DOI:  https://doi.org/10.1088/1758-5090/ae5b29
  10. Bioact Mater. 2026 Aug;62 480-494
    Adaptable sliding hydrogels enable pericellular pocket formation while enhancing MSC chondrogenesis and survival in 3D.
    Sarah J Loveland, Xinming Tong, Manish Ayushman, Hung-Pang Lee, Julia M Johannsen, Callie M Weber, Jake Song, Michelle Tai, Georgios Mikos, Yara Chaib, Ovijit Chaudhuri, Fan Yang.
      Hydrogels that recapitulate the dynamic mechanical cues of native extracellular matrix are powerful tools that can be leveraged for tissue engineering. Despite growing recognition that cues such as stress relaxation and plasticity modulate cell-matrix interactions, the influence of these properties on mesenchymal stromal cell (MSC) chondrogenesis has yet to be elucidated across a broad range of relaxation timescales and in the absence of confounding biochemical cues. Here, we report the adaptable sliding hydrogel (ASG) with tunable stress relaxation and plasticity as a novel MSC cell niche. By incorporating reversible hydrazone crosslinks into polyethylene glycol (PEG)-based sliding hydrogels (SG), ASG achieves a wide range of tunable stress relaxation and plasticity that are distinct from other dynamic hydrogels used for MSC chondrogenesis. Notably, increasing stress relaxation and plasticity in ASG promotes rapid and robust cartilage formation by human MSCs and supports long-term cell viability. Mechanistically, ASG facilitates local matrix remodeling and enables MSCs to form "pericellular pockets" in 3D that correlate with enhanced nascent extracellular matrix deposition and reorganization, integrin signaling, and nuclear dynamics. Overall, the ASG platform provides a tunable, synthetic microenvironment that helps probe the relationship between dynamic mechanical cues and stem cell fate and informs next-generation material design within the field of tissue engineering.
    Keywords:  Chondrogenesis; Dynamic; Hydrogels; Mechanotransduction; Viscoelasticity
    DOI:  https://doi.org/10.1016/j.bioactmat.2026.03.014
  11. Adv Mater. 2026 Apr 04. e73010
    Superior Impact-Resistant Composite Hydrogels Through an Ionic Coupling Strategy.
    Hao Zhuo, Quyang Liu, Xinyu Dong, Hongzhi Zheng, Lingyi Hong, Wei Zhai.
      Impact resistance emerges from the coupling of strong load-bearing networks and dynamic interfacial interactions that enable effective stress transfer and energy dissipation. Although hydrogels are promising candidates for impact-resistant soft materials, it remains challenging to reinforce both networks and interfaces simultaneously in hydrogels, which limits their performance under high strain-rate loading. To overcome this limitation, we develop a composite hydrogel comprised of a poly(vinyl alcohol) (PVA) matrix reinforced with chitosan-sodium alginate nanofibers (CSNFs), using sodium citrate as a multifunctional ionic coupler that (i) strengthens the PVA matrix via the Hofmeister effect, (ii) reinforces the CSNF network through desolvation and electrostatic crosslinking, and (iii) improves their fiber-matrix interfaces, enabling efficient stress transfer and energy dissipation through the integrated composite network and layered microstructure. The composite hydrogel achieves superior impact resistance relative to high-performance solid polymers, with an impact strength of 426.7 MPa and toughness of 106.4 MJ m- 3 at 7000 s- 1, while retaining excellent tensile properties (tensile strength: 54.2 MPa; fracture strain: 590%). By molecular-level experimental and simulation analyses, this work establishes ionic coupling as a facile yet effective strategy for achieving composite hydrogels with extreme impact resistance, broadening the potential of soft materials in impact protection, damping, and energy absorption.
    Keywords:  composite; hierarchical structure; hydrogel; impact resistance; nanofiber
    DOI:  https://doi.org/10.1002/adma.73010
  12. Chem Sci. 2026 Mar 23.
    A general and scalable DNA nano-chip with a fully localized architecture enables biocomputing in living cells and precisely induces cell apoptosis.
    Jintao Yi, Tingting Chen, Jinghong Li.
      DNA logic circuits have made important progress towards mimicking functions analogous to silicon-based electronic circuits. However, because of limitations in the orthogonality of free-floating DNA logic components and difficulty in controlling the intrinsically random collision of DNA molecules, the complexity, scalability, and information processing ability of DNA circuits are still constrained. Here, we demonstrate a general and scalable DNA nano-chip by integration of multilayer basic DNA logic gates on a DNA origami structure. We created basic DNA logic gates based on DNA localized strand displacement reactions. The basic logic gates were modularly combined into circuits by spatially arranging all of the reactive DNA components on a DNA origami structure according to the wiring instructions, establishing the generality and scalability of our DNA origami-based nano-chips. We showed that up to 11 addressable logic components were reconfigured in a single nano-chip for seven-input multi-level logic cascading and parallel biocomputing, executing highly complex tasks. We further integrated three layers of cascade logic units on the nano-chip for intracellular molecular biocomputing to execute precise identification and specific killing of tumor cells. Compared to circuits with diffusible components, our nano-chip enabled the performance of more efficient biocomputing both in solution and in living cells. Thus, we anticipate that our strategy will hold great potential for building complex DNA computing networks to perform powerful biological functions.
    DOI:  https://doi.org/10.1039/d6sc01897a
  13. Nat Commun. 2026 Mar 28.
    Small-molecule binding and sensing with a designed protein family.
    Gyu Rie Lee, Samuel J Pellock, Christoffer Norn, Doug Tischer, Justas Dauparas, Ivan Anishchenko, Jaron A M Mercer, Alex Kang, Asim K Bera, Hannah Nguyen, Evans Brackenbrough, Banumathi Sankaran, Inna Goreshnik, Dionne Vafeados, Nicole Roullier, Hannah L Han, Brian Coventry, Hugh K Haddox, David R Liu, Andy Hsien-Wei Yeh, David Baker.
      The de novo design of small-molecule-binding proteins holds great promise as a potential tool to develop sensors on-demand for arbitrary small molecules. Here we combine deep learning and physics-based methods to generate a family of proteins with diverse and designable pocket geometries, which we employ to computationally design binders for six small-molecule targets. Biophysical characterization of the designed binders reveals nanomolar to low micromolar binding affinities and atomic-level design accuracy. Additionally, we use a cortisol binder to design a chemically induced dimerization (CID) system that enables the construction of a biosensor for cortisol detection. The approach described here demonstrates the potential of the NTF2 fold and deep learning-based protein design in sensor development, paving the way for future platforms to design binders and sensors for small molecules across analytical, environmental, and biomedical applications.
    DOI:  https://doi.org/10.1038/s41467-026-70953-8
  14. Nat Cell Biol. 2026 Apr 01.
    Programmable macromolecule delivery via engineered trogocytosis.
    Xinyi Chen, Yinglin Situ, Yuexuan Yang, Luna Lyu, Mengting Han, Lorenzo Magni, Maylin L Fu, Boxiong Deng, Sui Wang, Lei S Qi.
      Trogocytosis, the transfer of plasma membrane fragments during cell-cell contact, offers potential for macromolecular delivery but is limited by the uncertain fate of trogocytosed molecules, restriction to membrane cargo and unclear generalizability. Here we demonstrate that donor cells engineered with designed receptors specific to surface ligands can transfer proteins to recipient cells through direct contact. We identified key engineering principles for enhancing transfer and ensuring cargo functionalization, including receptor design, pH-responsive membrane fusion, inducible cargo localization and release, and subcellular translocation. The method is broadly applicable across diverse cell types and operates through a dynamin- and endosome acidification-dependent pathway. Exploiting these findings, we developed TRANSFER, a versatile delivery system with programmable cell type specificity and tunability. TRANSFER can sense multiple ligand inputs, deliver large therapeutic protein cargos and mediate genome editing. The study establishes trogocytosis as a programmable, versatile framework for cell-based macromolecular delivery.
    DOI:  https://doi.org/10.1038/s41556-026-01920-0
  15. Sci Adv. 2026 Apr 03. 12(14): eaeb8556
    Protecting cells at the genetic level and simulating unauthorized access via a biohackathon.
    Dowan Kim, Ishita Kumar, Mohamed I Hassan, Luisa F Barraza-Vergara, Christopher A Voigt, Corey J Wilson.
      The protection of high-value cell lines (assets) relies on physical security by limiting access to samples. We present a cybersecurity-inspired platform that protects biological assets at the genetic level. This technology uses a permutation lock design where an asset can only be decrypted using an authentication code r from a search space composed of n objects on a defined keypad. Here, the genetic asset is designed as a scrambled DNA sequence, and the code is a temporal pattern of small molecules that regulate sets of recombinases that can unscramble a DNA sequence into the desired final sequence. In this work, a "blue team" designed and built an encrypted (scrambled) DNA sequence, and a "red team" sought to break the code through an ethical hacking exercise. Two iterations of testing revealed a 0.2% (2 in 990) chance of gaining access to the asset by random search, which is on par with the theoretical goal of 0.1% (1 in 990).
    DOI:  https://doi.org/10.1126/sciadv.aeb8556
  16. J Colloid Interface Sci. 2026 Mar 24. pii: S0021-9797(26)00527-8. [Epub ahead of print]717 140350
    Modulating 3D-printability with nanocellulose hydrogels.
    Zinia Anjuman Ara, Rishabh More, Gil Garnier, Warren Batchelor.
      Three-dimensional (3D) printability with hydrogels can be engineered from first principles by modelling their viscoelastic and interfacial behaviour. Printability is defined as the ability of a gel to maintain shape during and after unsupported extrusion. We hypothesized that the quality and resolution of 3D gel printing can be predicted and therefore, optimized from the material viscoelastic response in the shear relaxation test. Mechanical properties of hydrogels with varying ratios of cellulose nanofibrils (CNF) and cellulose nanocrystals (CNC) ionically crosslinked with CaCl2 were characterized using rheology, and their printability was tested using a filament sag test. A predictive model based on the Euler-Bernoulli beam-bending theory was developed to estimate the maximum critical span length that limits the filament sag below a desired threshold using the linear viscoelastic relaxation modulus. The proposed model accurately predicted the maximum span length required to limit filament sag across different hydrogel compositions spanning 2-3 orders of magnitude in mechanical properties, as confirmed by a close agreement between the predicted and measured printability boundaries. By reformulating control variables into dimensionless parameters, the framework removes dependence on specific geometry and hydrogel composition enabling generalization to any soft colloidal gels. This study establishes a quantitative platform for engineering, from first colloidal, interfacial, and continuum mechanics principles, the 3D-printability of hydrogels beyond nanocellulose systems.
    Keywords:  3D printing; Beam bending; Hydrogel; Modelling; Nanocellulose; Rheology
    DOI:  https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jcis.2026.140350
  17. Nat Protoc. 2026 Apr 02.
    Sensing and perturbing mammalian cell states with reprogrammable ADAR sensors (RADARS).
    Jeremy Koob, Kaiyi Jiang, Samantha R Sgrizzi, Fei Chen, Omar O Abudayyeh, Jonathan S Gootenberg.
      Reprogrammable Adenosine Deaminase Acting on RNA (ADAR) Sensors (RADARS) control RNA translation in mammalian cells, allowing for noninvasive sensing or perturbation of specific cell types based on transcriptional signatures. Upon base-pairing between a target RNA and a sensor RNA, RADARS leverages ADAR to edit a premature stop codon upstream of a gene of interest, thereby releasing translation of the desired cargo. These design principles enable sequence programmability, allowing RADARS to adapt more easily to new contexts than existing tools for targeting cell types. We describe a detailed protocol for performing experiments with RADARS, including designing, cloning and validating RADARS constructs targeting a transcript of interest. RADARS guide sequences can be designed with an intuitive web interface and cloned into existing constructs for downstream applications including imaging, sorting and sequencing. We outline recommendations for cargo choice, sensor design and ADAR system selection, enabling users to choose the best workflow depending on the desired application. Beginning with sensor design, the selection of top-performing RADARS guides can be completed in ~2 weeks, followed by a desired use case. Convenient engineering and application of RADARS for various applications enable the design and execution of various cell-targeting experiments.
    DOI:  https://doi.org/10.1038/s41596-025-01305-x
  18. Sci Adv. 2026 Apr 03. 12(14): eaeb1451
    Inertial sensing of water content in tumor spheroids.
    Georgios Katsikis, Jennifer C Yoon, Thomas R Usherwood, Seth Malinowski, Jiaquan Yu, Chuyi Chen, Sukbom Son, Julie L Sutton, Keith L Ligon, Jungchul Lee, Teemu P Miettinen, Scott R Manalis.
      Cellular water content governs the concentration of all biomolecules inside a cell, thereby influencing the physical and functional properties of the cell. However, measurements of water content in physiologically relevant cell culture models remain largely unavailable, particularly in three-dimensional (3D) models such as tumor spheroids and organoids. Here, we achieve such measurements using an industrial-grade capillary steel tube. The steel tube functions as a mechanical resonator that inertially senses the buoyant mass of particles. For microgram-scale particles ≥ 400 micrometers in diameter, we achieve <1% precision error in buoyant mass with a 5-minute acquisition interval. By sequentially measuring the buoyant mass of individual, patient-derived glioblastoma tumor spheroids derived from patients with glioblastoma in media of different densities and cell permeabilities, we determine the absolute and fractional (volume/volume) water content of the spheroids, along with their dry mass, volume, and density properties. We achieve ~0.5% precision error in fractional water content with a throughput of three spheroids per hour. This enables us to detect both interspheroid heterogeneity in fractional water content and acute responses to kinase inhibition. Overall, we establish a simple and accessible technique for quantifying water content in living 3D cell culture models, opening previously unexplored avenues for studying biophysical regulation in multicellular systems.
    DOI:  https://doi.org/10.1126/sciadv.aeb1451
  19. Mater Horiz. 2026 Mar 31.
    Suspension polymerization of bioelectronic interfaces on living cells.
    Hanne Biesmans, Charlotte Theunis, Rebecka Rilemark, Caroline Lindholm, Marle E J Vleugels, Tobias Abrahamsson, Xenofon Strakosas, Jennifer Y Gerasimov, Daniel T Simon, Magnus Berggren, Eva Olsson, Chiara Musumeci.
      The development of robust and biocompatible interfaces between living cells and electronic devices is essential for the advancement of bioelectronic and medical technologies. Organic conjugated polymers have emerged as promising materials for this purpose owing to their mixed ion and electron conductivity, as well as their mechanical and chemical flexibility. Here, we present a simple, genetic-modification-free protocol for enzyme-mediated, cell-templated polymerization that enables the formation of conductive polymer coatings on the surface of living cells. By exploiting the non-specific adsorption of horseradish peroxidase (HRP) onto the cell membrane followed by in situ suspension polymerization of a thiophene-based monomer, we achieve localized polymeric coatings on the cell membrane without compromising cell viability or excitability. The method is successfully applied to different cell lines, and the polymer properties are successfully characterized by absorption spectroscopy, scanning electron microscopy, and conductive atomic force microscopy. Functional assays demonstrate preserved cellular responsiveness and viability, and the polymer coating remains stable for up to four days. This in situ polymerization approach offers a rapid, versatile, and minimally invasive strategy for engineering bioelectronic interfaces, expanding the toolkit for integrating electronics with living systems.
    DOI:  https://doi.org/10.1039/d5mh02264a
  20. ACS Appl Mater Interfaces. 2026 Mar 29.
    Graphene-Oxide-Based Interfacial GO-Polymer Assemblies Stabilize Pickering Emulsions for 3D-Printed Multifunctional Cryogels.
    Sheng Gu, Dong Wang.
      Graphene oxide (GO)-based interfacial assemblies offer exceptional mechanical and functional properties, yet scalable fabrication of freestanding films and their integration into complex architectures remain challenging. Here, we demonstrate the fabrication of large-area, freestanding polystyrene (PS)/GO interfacial nanoparticle-ligand thin films through interfacial coassembly of carboxyl-functionalized GO and amine-terminated PS at the water/toluene interface. The resulting ultrathin films (8-11 nm) span diameters up to 0.15 mm and exhibit a tunable Young's modulus of 0.21-0.72 GPa by varying pH, PS molecular weight, and component concentrations. Guided by these interfacial insights, GO together with octadecylamine (ODA) was further used to stabilize high-internal-phase Pickering emulsions as direct-ink-writing (DIW)-compatible inks. Rheological characterization revealed shear-thinning behavior, finite yield stress, and rapid structural recovery after high shear, which collectively support continuous extrusion and shape retention during printing. Freeze-drying preserves the emulsion-templated porosity to yield ultralight cryogels, and subsequent thermal reduction converts GO to conductive reduced GO, giving an electrical conductivity of 297 S·cm-1 and a thermal conductivity of 0.092 W·m-1·K-1, thereby demonstrating proof-of-concept multifunctionality. This work establishes a scalable and integrated platform that bridges interfacial self-assembly, emulsion templating, and 3D printing to design multifunctional GO-based materials for potential applications in soft electronics and thermal management.
    Keywords:  Pickering emulsion; direct ink writing; graphene oxide; interfacial self-assembly; multifunctional cryogels
    DOI:  https://doi.org/10.1021/acsami.5c24042
  21. J Am Chem Soc. 2026 Mar 31.
    Direct Polymer-on-Polymer Grafting of Polyolefins under Visible Light.
    Hongsik Kim, Hyun Suk Wang, Namkyu Yun, Athina Anastasaki, Tae-Lim Choi.
      Polyolefins dominate global plastic production but resist chemical transformation, leading to persistent waste accumulation. Developing new strategies that can repurpose these waste materials into higher-value products is therefore essential. Although conventional polar small-molecule grafting improves functionality, the resulting densely substituted polyolefins often become softer materials due to lower crystallinity and strength. Here, we report a visible-light-driven radical method that directly grafts diverse vinyl polymers onto polyolefins without the need for catalysts or initiators. The approach is broadly applicable to both pristine and postconsumer polyolefins on a multigram scale. Despite substantial functionalization that markedly increases polarity, the grafted polyolefins retain crystallinity, thermal stability, and mechanical robustness owing to their sparse yet extended polar polymer side chains. As a proof of concept, we demonstrate exceptional adhesion performance, with shear strengths approaching an order of magnitude higher than those of commercial hot-melt adhesives. This work establishes a general principle for polymer-on-polymer grafting of commodity plastics, expanding the conceptual space of polyolefin modification.
    DOI:  https://doi.org/10.1021/jacs.5c21265
  22. Biomacromolecules. 2026 Apr 03.
    Engineering and Exploring Hydrolytic Degradation in 3D-Printed Liquid Crystalline Elastomers.
    Lorin C Danielsen, Jason A Burdick, Timothy J White.
      Liquid crystalline elastomers (LCEs) are being increasingly explored as biomaterials; however, many LCE properties were not designed with biomedical use in mind. Here, we examine LCE hydrolytic degradation, including investigating approaches to accelerate degradation and whether thermal and mechanical properties change with degradation. Among 3D-printable LCE chemistries, we find that networks formed via thiol-Michael addition followed by thiol-ene photo-cross-linking degrade most rapidly. The integration of hydrophilic chain extenders (e.g., PEG) accelerates LCE degradation and demonstrates their potential tunability for various applications. We monitor representative LCEs throughout degradation and show that as samples undergo heterogeneous surface erosion, nematic-to-isotropic transition temperatures increase, while actuation potential, alignment, and mechanical anisotropy remain stable until failure. 1H NMR, SAXS, and DSC studies reveal that thermal changes arise from retained degradation products enriched in liquid crystal mesogens, which increase mesogenic interactions per unit volume and require greater thermal energy to disrupt the nematic state.
    DOI:  https://doi.org/10.1021/acs.biomac.5c02638
  23. Adv Sci (Weinh). 2026 Apr 02. e21766
    Living Hydrogels: Harnessing Microorganism-Material Synergy for Next-Generation Therapeutics.
    Shuifang Mao, Bingyao Bai, Xingqian Ye, Yiliang Lin.
      Microorganism-based therapies, particularly those utilizing probiotics, have emerged as a powerful biomedical strategy owing to their inherent living functionalities. These living systems can dynamically interact with host environments and self-regulate their activity, offering superior adaptability, prolonged functionality, and microenvironmental responsiveness compared to conventional non-living therapeutic platforms. Despite these advantages, the direct administration of probiotics faces several challenges, such as poor viability, limited retention at target sites, and the inability to control therapeutic effects in a spatiotemporally precise manner. To address these challenges, embedding probiotics within hydrogel matrices has proven effective in enhancing microbial stability, prolonging in vivo retention, and enabling precise and sustained therapeutic delivery through synergistic interactions between the hydrogels and living microorganisms. This review provides a comprehensive overview of the materials and design strategies employed in the construction of living microorganism-encapsulated hydrogels (living hydrogels), with particular emphasis on the dynamic interactions and synergistic mechanisms of hydrogel-microorganism systems. We further illustrate how these mechanisms can achieve various biomedical applications, such as modulating gut microbiota to treat gastrointestinal disease and accelerate wound healing, or leveraging microbial-induced immune regulation for effective cancer therapy. Finally, the current challenges and future directions associated with the clinical translation of living hydrogels are highlighted. Therefore, the unique multifunctionality and therapeutic promise of living hydrogels position them as compelling candidates for the development of next-generation biomaterials with unprecedented therapeutic potential.
    Keywords:  biological application; dynamic interaction; living hydrogels; synergistic mechanism
    DOI:  https://doi.org/10.1002/advs.202521766
  24. Small. 2026 Apr 02. e14711
    Bovine Serum Albumin Crosslinked Hydrogels with Enhanced Mechanical Properties for Skin Bioelectronics.
    Yuecong Luo, Kaixiang Long, Minzhang Chen, Chenxi Hu, Lilei Yu, Ang Lu, Shishang Guo.
      The applications of hydrogel in the field of skin bioelectronics are rapidly expanding, and the development of hydrogels with both superior mechanical properties and strong adhesion is critical for facilitating their clinical translation. Here, a protein crosslinking strategy is reported, in which modified bovine serum albumin (BM) is used as a crosslinker to synthesize highly stretchable and strongly adhesive protein hydrogels. On the one hand, BM molecules form dual physical and chemical crosslinking interactions, and the secondary structures within BM can establish a spring-like energy dissipation mechanism, thereby significantly enhancing the mechanical properties of the hydrogel. On the other hand, BM provides abundant functional groups, including amino, carboxyl, and hydroxyl groups, which can effectively improve the adhesion of the hydrogel to biological tissues and various solid surfaces. Furthermore, BM is applicable to multiple hydrogel systems, demonstrating a certain degree of universality. Leveraging the hydrogel's high stretchability and strong adhesion, its effectiveness has been demonstrated in skin bioelectronics including strain sensors, electrocardiogram/electromyogram monitoring, and electrical stimulation therapy, due to the conductivity, transparency, and biocompatibility. This series of studies expands the clinical application scope of hydrogels, provides inspiration for the integration of treatment and intelligent monitoring, and enhances the everyday practicality of hydrogels.
    Keywords:  bovine serum albumin; conductive hydrogel; electrical stimulation therapy; protein crosslinker; skin bioelectronics
    DOI:  https://doi.org/10.1002/smll.202514711
  25. Nano Lett. 2026 Apr 02.
    When Matter Builds Itself: Blueprints from Life to Materials.
    L Aloisio, F Marangi, G Lanzani.
      Self-assembly is pervasive in living systems but remains an unconventional paradigm for constructing functional materials in biological environments. Rather than relying on ex situ fabrication and subsequent integration, in situ self-assembly enables the autonomous formation of supramolecular architectures under physiological conditions, allowing synthetic materials to couple directly with biological functions. This Mini-Review surveys recent advances in functional self-assembly across intracellular, extracellular, and microbial realms, focusing on materials-driven strategies that introduce new electrical, optical, and mechanical capabilities into living systems. Examples range from intracellular semiconducting nanostructures and optically active supramolecular assemblies to extracellular conductive interfaces and engineered microbial materials. Together, these studies establish self-assembly as an active mechanism for augmenting biological function and a scalable route toward biointegrated, adaptive materials.
    Keywords:  bioelectronic interfaces; intracellular nanostructures; organic semiconductors; self-assembly in living systems; supramolecular materials
    DOI:  https://doi.org/10.1021/acs.nanolett.6c00057
  26. Small. 2026 Mar 29. e73237
    Bio-Inspired Design of Robust, Transparent Nanofibrous Air Filters for High-Efficiency Particulate Matter Capture.
    Chao-Yang Guo, Jiang-Ping Chen, Qi-Jun Zhang, Zai-Dong Shao, Qisheng Ou, Lu-Bin Zhong, Yu-Ming Zheng.
      Transparent air filters (TAFs) have attracted considerable attention for air purification and personal protection. However, conventional TAFs improve high light transmittance by minimizing fiber diameter and reducing filter thickness, which compromises mechanical strength and remains restricted by the trade-off between filtration efficiency and pressure drop. Inspired by the heterogeneous vein-membrane structure of dragonfly wings, a bio-inspired TAF (B-TAF) with enhanced mechanical and filtration performance is designed through dual-nozzle electrospinning and spatially controlled electric-field deposition. Enabled by cross-scale fiber assembly and spatially resolved deposition, the B-TAF possesses a multi-dimensional architecture, comprising 1D bimodal nanofiber diameter distribution, 2D irregular in-plane spatial arrangement of dense and sparse nanofiber layer regions, and 3D fluffy porous nanofiber architecture. This precisely engineered architecture features high visible light transmittance (>70.0%), outstanding filtration efficiency (>99.5% for both PM0.3 and PM1.0), and exceptionally low pressure drop (<80.0 Pa), effectively overcoming conventional transparency-strength and efficiency-pressure-drop trade-offs. Furthermore, the B-TAF exhibits superior mechanical robustness, with a tensile strength of 5.3 MPa and an elongation at break of 232%, ensuring stable long-term operation under practical conditions. This study presents a scalable manufacturing approach, offering a viable pathway toward the practical application of high-performance multifunctional TAFs.
    Keywords:  bio‐inspired design; mechanical robustness; multi‐dimensional structural design; self‐purifying city; transparent air filter
    DOI:  https://doi.org/10.1002/smll.73237
  27. Cell Syst. 2026 Apr 02. pii: S2405-4712(26)00049-9. [Epub ahead of print] 101567
    Single-cell morphodynamical trajectories enable prediction of gene expression accompanying cell state change.
    Jeremy Copperman, Ian C Mclean, Sean M Gross, Jalim Singh, Vaibhav Murthy, Young Hwan Chang, Alexander E Davies, Daniel M Zuckerman, Laura M Heiser.
      Extracellular signals induce changes to molecular programs that modulate cellular phenotypes, but the connection between dynamically adapting phenotypic states and the molecular programs that define them is not well understood. Here, we develop data-driven models of single-cell phenotypic responses by linking gene transcription levels to "morphodynamics"-changes in cell morphology and motility observable in single-cell trajectories extracted from time-lapse image data. The single-cell trajectories enable a computational approach to map live-cell dynamics to snapshot gene transcript levels, which we term MMIST, molecular and morphodynamics-integrated single-cell trajectories. MMIST identifies a cell state landscape bound by epithelial and mesenchymal endpoints, with distinct sequences of intermediates. This analysis predicts expression of thousands of RNA transcripts through extracellular signal-induced epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT) and mesenchymal-epithelial transition (MET) with near-continuous time resolution. The MMIST framework leverages true single-cell dynamical behavior to generate molecular-level omic inferences and is broadly applicable across biological domains, imaging approaches, and molecular snapshot data.
    Keywords:  EMT; Markov model; cell state; ligand response; morphodynamics; single-cell dynamics
    DOI:  https://doi.org/10.1016/j.cels.2026.101567
  28. Small. 2026 Mar 31. e11931
    Large-Scale Distribution of Physical Data Using DNA-of-Things Technology in Newspaper Printing.
    Francesca Granito, Andreas L Gimpel, Wendelin J Stark, Reinhard Heckel, Robert N Grass.
      DNA represents a promising solution for high-density and long-term data storage. In this study, we explore the scalability and robustness of DNA-of-Things (DoT) technology by embedding digital data encoded in silica-encapsulated DNA in newspaper ink. In honor of the 75th anniversary of the German Basic Law the "Grundgesetz" was encoded in DNA, encapsulated in silica nanoparticles, and mixed with paraffin-based offset ink for mass distribution in a newspaper with a circulation of over 500 000 copies of "The Süddeutsche Zeitung." We assessed the integrity and recoverability of the DNA after printing by retrieving, sequencing, and decoding the embedded data. Our results demonstrate the sensitivity and scalability of DNA-of-things technology. As a proof of concept, the DNA was reliably stored in printed media and successfully retrieved from a single dot of ink containing approximately 14 femtograms of DNA.
    Keywords:  DNA data storage; DNA of things; newspaper; silica nanoparticles
    DOI:  https://doi.org/10.1002/smll.202511931
  29. Macromolecules. 2026 Mar 24. 59(6): 3649-3659
    Function Meets Circularity: Metal-Ionomer Cross-Links Toughen and Recycle CO2‑Derived Polymers.
    Kam C Poon, Thomas M McGuire, Chang Gao, Gregory S Sulley, Charlotte K Williams.
      Designing polymers that combine performance with sustainability remains a critical challenge. Here, we report high-performance elastomers derived from CO2 and biobased monomers that integrate both mechanical toughness and closed-loop chemical recyclability through a single material feature: dynamic metal-ionomer cross-links. These ABA block polymers, synthesized from ε-decalactone, δ-jasmolactone, CO2, and bicyclic epoxides, incorporate abundant and inexpensive metal carboxylates (Na-(I), Zn-(II), and Al-(III)) into the midblock, forming reversible networks that enhance tensile strength by 150% while maintaining high strain at break (>1500%) and elastic recovery (>85%). The same cross-links act as built-in catalysts, enabling energy-efficient depolymerization of both polyester and polycarbonate domains at 200 °C, recovering the original monomers. This dual-function approach advances circular polymer design by combining enhanced performance with efficient, low-energy, closed-loop recycling.
    DOI:  https://doi.org/10.1021/acs.macromol.6c00188
  30. Soft Matter. 2026 Apr 01.
    Modeling tumor transport and growth with poroelastic biopolymer networks.
    Zecheng Li, Yifei Ren, Sharvari Kemkar, Paul Mollenkopf, Jakub Kochanowski, Paul A Janmey, Prashant K Purohit, Ravi Radhakrishnan, Kyle H Vining.
      The mechanical properties of the extracellular matrix (ECM) regulate tumor growth and invasion in the tumor microenvironment. Models of biopolymer networks have been used to investigate the impact of elasticity and viscoelasticity of the ECM on tumor behavior. Under tumor compression, these networks also show poroelastic behavior that is governed by the resistance to water flow through their pores. This work investigates the hypothesis that stress-dependent transport properties of biopolymer networks regulate tumor growth. Here, alginate hydrogels are used as a model ECM system with tunable ionic and hybrid ionic/covalent crosslinking. Hydrogel stiffness, viscoelasticity, and stress relaxation behavior were characterized using stepwise axial compression. Among these properties, we find poroelastic fluid outflow dominates ECM stress relaxation, as the measured water flux was significantly affected under compression. Continuum mechanics-based modeling was developed to formulate and calculate the chemical potential gradients of water (solvent) in the hydrogels under compression. This framework was extended into an advection-diffusion framework to quantify growth factor (solute) distribution under varying strengths of stress and diffusion indexed by the relative strength of convective to diffusive transport, characterized by the Péclet number. An agent-based computational simulation showed that the Péclet numbers based on our experimental timescales strongly influenced tumor growth over longer, more physiologic timescales. Together, these results highlight the important role of water flux and transport in three-dimensional biopolymer networks.
    DOI:  https://doi.org/10.1039/d6sm00060f
  31. bioRxiv. 2026 Mar 28. pii: 2026.03.25.714233. [Epub ahead of print]
    Matrix stiffening toolbox: dynamic hydrogels for three-dimensional cell culture with real-time cell response.
    Eden M Ford, Samantha E Cassel, Bryan P Sutherland, Samantha L Swedzinski, April M Kloxin.
      Extracellular matrix (ECM) mechanical properties regulate tissue homeostasis and disease progression, with persistent ECM stiffening serving as a hallmark of fibrosis; yet, the early transition from healthy to diseased tissue remains poorly understood. Dynamic three-dimensional (3D) tissue models that capture early-stage stiffening are needed to investigate cellular responses during disease initiation. This work presents an innovative platform for studying cell responses in 3D environments undergoing active matrix stiffening. A bioinspired synthetic ECM incorporates collagen-mimetic peptides and employs sequential, non-terminal strain-promoted azide-alkyne cycloaddition (SPAAC) reactions to enable controlled increases in matrix stiffness over physiologically relevant timescales. Alternating polymer incubations produce a 2.5-fold increase in storage modulus over 72 hours, modeling the mechanical transition from healthy to early-stage fibrotic lung tissue. Live-cell reporter fibroblasts enable real-time monitoring of alpha-smooth muscle actin (αSMA) expression, revealing significant upregulation during matrix stiffening that remains transient and difficult to detect via traditional endpoint assays. Active stiffening also modulates fibroblast motility, transiently increasing migration speed while persistently enhancing directional persistence. Complementary computational reaction-diffusion modeling provides mechanistic insight into modulus gradient formation and reaction kinetics. This versatile toolbox enables investigation of early mechanobiological responses to matrix stiffening and may aid identification of markers of fibrotic disease onset.
    DOI:  https://doi.org/10.64898/2026.03.25.714233
  32. Science. 2026 Apr 02. 392(6793): 25-26
    Cured by blood.
    M R Antognazza, G Lanzani.
      A light-sensitive semiconductive polymer is synthesized within living animals by a blood protein catalyst.
    DOI:  https://doi.org/10.1126/science.aeg1547
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