bims-enlima 2026-01-18 papers

bims-enlima

Biomed News

on Engineered living materials

Issue of 2026–01–18
27 papers selected by
Rahul Kumar, Tallinna Tehnikaülikool

Controlled Assembly of Vesicle-Based Superstructures Using Megamolecules.
Electrogenic protein condensates as intracellular electrochemical reactors.
Fabrication of Hierarchically Structured Free-Standing Supramolecular Hydrogels through Flow-Driven Reaction-Diffusion.
Improved protein binder design using β-pairing targeted RFdiffusion.
A genetically encoded device for transcriptome storage in mammalian cells.
Recyclable and Biodegradable Thermosets for 3D Printing via an Acid-Labile Multifunctional Photoinitiator.
Construction of synthetic protein-binding non-genetic DNA systems in living cells.
Rapid Generation of Fusable Cell Beads for Multi-Scale Human Living Materials Assembly.
Two-Photon 3D Printing of Functional Microstructures Inside Living Cells.
RNA-Based Communication in Heterogeneous Populations of Cell Mimics.
Biomimetic Gradient Lubrication Hydrogel Contrived by Self-Reinforced MOFs Nanoparticle Network.
Uncovering the Design Rules for Sustainable Growth of Mineralized Mycomaterials.
Bioinspired Radiative Cooling Materials: From Design Principles to Building Energy Savings.
Rare-Earth Coordination Hydrogels Enabling Self-Powered and Self-Luminous Closed-Loop Systems.
Viscoelastic Phase Transition of Polyborodimethylsiloxane (PBDMS) for Mechanical Pass Filters and Noise Fading Sensor.
Hybrid Bioprinting for functionally graded tissue engineering constructs with patterned and localized biochemical signals.
Peptide-Induced Ferroelectricity in Charge-Transfer Supramolecular Materials.
The genesis of citrated ultrathin hydroxyapatite nanorods.
Mechanical behaviour of additively manufactured metals.
Additive manufacturing of metastructures at the micro- and nano-scale.
3D-printed low-voltage-driven ciliary hydrogel microactuators.
Cooperative Rotation of Multiple FoF1-ATPase Motors in a Janus Photophosphorylation Nanobot.
Photopolymerizable green composite biomaterials for potential 3D printing applications.
Strategies toward Renewable and Compostable Intravenous Bag Materials.
Controlled assembly and sophisticated additive manufacturing of macroscopic droplets.
Spider silk-based structural proteins as tough, biodegradable, and sustainable polymers.
Covalent Adaptable Networks: Reprocessable Cross-Linked Polymers.

ACS Appl Mater Interfaces. 2026 Jan 15.

Controlled Assembly of Vesicle-Based Superstructures Using Megamolecules.

Timothy Q Vu, Sraeyes Sridhar, Bethel G Shekour, Atiriya Iyer, Lariana Cline, Blaise R Kimmel, Justin A Modica, Lara Mocan, Milan Mrksich, Neha P Kamat.

  Living tissues consist of many individual cells, each with their specialized functions, assembled into a higher-order structure. Advances in artificial cells, engineered materials that mimic functions of biological cells, suggest that artificial tissues or hybrid tissues comprising both artificial and living cells could one day be used for drug delivery, biosensing, tissue regeneration, or fundamental biology. The assembly of such prototissues requires programmable and site-specific adhesion between artificial cells that make up the tissue. Toward this goal of creating programmable, spatially organized prototissues, we developed a modular, bioorthogonal conjugation method for attaching proteins to lipid vesicles using covalently inhibited enzymes. We then designed synthetic adhesion proteins that enable vesicle-to-vesicle adhesion between not only specific populations of vesicles but also specific regions of the vesicle surface. Finally, we demonstrate that our synthetic adhesion toolkit allows for controlled binding between artificial cells and natural cells to form hybrid cell aggregates. Together, this work expands the toolbox for controlling synthetic lipid-based particle adhesion to enable hierarchical, spatially controlled structures for applications in chemistry, biology, and materials science.

Keywords:  adhesion; artificial cells; bioconjugation; biorthogonal; megamolecules; phase separation; prototissue

DOI:  https://doi.org/10.1021/acsami.5c23536
Nat Mater. 2026 Jan 15.

Electrogenic protein condensates as intracellular electrochemical reactors.

Wen Yu, Yuefeng Ma, Leshan Yang, Yanrun Zhou, Xinrui Liu, Yifan Dai.

Charged surfaces in aqueous solution establish electric double layers that modulate interfacial electron transfer and drive redox chemistry. However, the capability to engineer the interfacial electrochemical environments of soft biomaterials to enable electron generation for chemical reactions has not been realized. Here we show that genetically encoded biomaterials that can undergo self-assembly into protein condensates can be engineered to function as electrochemical reactors. We establish the fundamental principles that govern the sequence-electrochemical property relationship of protein condensates, thereby programming their electrogenic behaviours. We demonstrate the applications of protein condensates in various electrochemical reactions in vitro. We also deploy these condensates in biological cells as living materials for intracellular nanoparticle synthesis, pollutant degradation and antibiotic-free inhibition of bacteria through artificial ferroptosis. These intrinsic electrogenic materials offer a biomaterial platform that could be used as a clean and sustainable energy source for the development of next-generation bioelectrochemical devices.

DOI: https://doi.org/10.1038/s41563-025-02434-0
Small. 2026 Jan 17. e13445

Fabrication of Hierarchically Structured Free-Standing Supramolecular Hydrogels through Flow-Driven Reaction-Diffusion.

Lai Wei, Yuliang Gao, Zhongqi Li, Shengyu Bai, Xuhong Guo, Yiming Wang.

  Supramolecular hydrogels self-assembled by small molecular gelators have been recognized as a class of important soft materials. To realize their full potential, the structuring of supramolecular hydrogels at different length scales is required, yet remains a grand challenge. Here, we describe a simple flow-driven reaction-diffusion approach for the fabrication of hierarchically structured free-standing supramolecular hydrogels. The fabrication system comprises a flow channel made by agarose matrix that allows proton solutions to flow inside. Over time, the flowing protons diffuse across the channel wall, thereby triggering the self-assembly of acid-sensitive gelators at the channel surface. More interestingly, by adjusting the proton concentration, the self-assembled hydrogel fibers can be directed to grow along the diffusion direction. As a result, free-standing hydrogel tubes with aligned hydrogel fibers and different cross-section shapes are produced. Furthermore, upon a sequential growth of different supramolecular hydrogels at the channel surface, multilayered supramolecular hydrogel tubes can be created. Such a simple flow-driven reaction-diffusion approach for the structuring of supramolecular hydrogels at the levels of both fibers and macroscopic hydrogels may further unlock more functions and applications of supramolecular hydrogels.

Keywords:  directed self‐assembly; hydrogels; molecular gelators; reaction‐diffusion; supramolecular chemistry

DOI:  https://doi.org/10.1002/smll.202513445
Nat Commun. 2026 Jan 10.

Improved protein binder design using β-pairing targeted RFdiffusion.

Isaac Sappington, Martin Toul, David S Lee, Stephanie A Robinson, Inna Goreshnik, Clara McCurdy, Tung Ching Chan, Nic Buchholz, Buwei Huang, Dionne Vafeados, Mariana Garcia-Sanchez, Nicole Roullier, Matthias Glögl, Christopher J Kim, Joseph L Watson, Susana Vázquez Torres, Koen H G Verschueren, Kenneth Verstraete, Cynthia S Hinck, Melisa Benard-Valle, Brian Coventry, Jeremiah Nelson Sims, Green Ahn, Xinru Wang, Andrew P Hinck, Timothy P Jenkins, Hannele Ruohola-Baker, Steven M Banik, Savvas N Savvides, David Baker.

Designing proteins that bind with high affinity to hydrophilic protein target sites remains a challenging problem. Here we show that RFdiffusion can be conditioned to generate protein scaffolds that form geometrically matched extended β-sheets with target protein edge β-strands in which polar groups on the target are complemented with hydrogen bonding groups on the design. We use this approach to design binders against edge-strand target sites on KIT, PDGFRɑ, ALK-2, ALK-3, FCRL5, NRP1, and α-CTX, and obtain higher (pM to mid nM) affinities and success rates than unconditioned RFdiffusion. Despite sharing β-strand interactions, designs have high specificity, reflecting the precise customization of interacting β-strand geometry and additional designed binder-target interactions. A binder-KIT co-crystal structure is nearly identical to the design model, confirming the accuracy of the design approach. The ability to robustly generate binders to the hydrophilic interaction surfaces of exposed β-strands considerably increases the range of computational binder design.

DOI: https://doi.org/10.1038/s41467-025-67866-3
Science. 2026 Jan 15. eadz9353

A genetically encoded device for transcriptome storage in mammalian cells.

Yu-Kai Chao, Michelle Wu, Qiyu Gong, Fei Chen.

Understanding how cells make decisions over time requires the ability to link past molecular states to future phenotypic outcomes. We present TimeVault, a genetically encoded system that records and stores transcriptomes within living mammalian cells for future readout. TimeVault leverages engineered vault particles that capture mRNA through poly(A) binding protein. We demonstrate that the transcriptome stored by TimeVaults is stable in living cells for over 7 days. TimeVault enables high-fidelity transcriptome-wide recording with minimal cellular perturbation, capturing transient stress responses and revealing gene expression changes underlying drug-naive persister states in lung cancer cells that evade EGFR inhibition. By linking past and present cellular states, TimeVault provides a powerful tool for decoding how cells respond to stress, make fate decisions, and resist therapy.

DOI: https://doi.org/10.1126/science.adz9353
Small. 2026 Jan 14. e14175

Recyclable and Biodegradable Thermosets for 3D Printing via an Acid-Labile Multifunctional Photoinitiator.

Dajun Xiong, Lidan Zhang, Jianjie Fu, Wenbin Yi, Jieping Wang.

  Thermosetting resins dominate the 3D printing market but pose significant sustainability issues due to their crosslinked, non-degradable nature. We overcome these challenges with a novel multifunctional photoinitiator that polymerizes monofunctional acrylates into acid-degradable thermosets. This approach enables the high-resolution 3D printing of complex structures. Crucially, the materials are both recyclable and biodegradable. Post-degradation, the linear polymers can be dissolved in fresh monomers and re-cured, yielding materials with enhanced mechanical properties. Furthermore, the printed objects degrade in weakly acidic soil (pH 6) in approximately 75 days, and their degradation products show negligible ecotoxicity. This presents a promising and universal strategy for creating high-performance, sustainable thermosets for 3D printing.

Keywords:  3d printing; biodegradation; photoinitiator; recycling; thermosets

DOI:  https://doi.org/10.1002/smll.202514175
Nat Chem. 2026 Jan 16.

Construction of synthetic protein-binding non-genetic DNA systems in living cells.

Geonhu Lee, Jongmin Kim.

Life's development and adaption to fluctuating environments are underpinned by DNA-protein interactions, which have also spurred the development of artificial systems ranging from genetic circuits to nanoarchitectures. Nonetheless, in cellulo there remains an untapped design space for DNA-protein systems that are incompatible with the role of DNA as genetic material. Here we engineer retrons to intracellularly express non-genetic small DNAs embedding specific protein-binding sequences. These DNA species are products of genes and therefore their quantitative, spatial and functional control is decoupled from genetic stability, enabling alternative architectures of DNA-protein systems with unique functions. Using synthetic networks of proteins and the engineered retron-DNA, we demonstrated precise, multiplexed gene regulation and construction of feedback circuits for dynamic responses. Further, we developed DNA-based molecular scaffolds and bridges that enable modular, post-translational and spatial control of multiple proteins within cells. Finally, we transformed an allosteric transcription factor into inducible post-translational switches. Our work suggests that the non-genetic DNA-protein systems represent a promising control layer for creating synthetic cellular behaviours.

DOI: https://doi.org/10.1038/s41557-025-02049-7
Small Methods. 2026 Jan 15. e01450

Rapid Generation of Fusable Cell Beads for Multi-Scale Human Living Materials Assembly.

Beatriz S Moura, Maria V Monteiro, Joana F Soeiro, Nuno J O Silva, Vítor M Gaspar, João F Mano.

  Three-dimensional self-assembled cellular aggregates, such as spheroids, provide unique building blocks for bottom-up tissue engineering and in vitro disease modeling. Nevertheless, traditional spheroid production methods require prolonged cell aggregation times and are highly dependent on cell type, requiring frequent optimization steps. Additionally, spheroids' size is dependent on their cell density, preventing a control over their final volume. Herein, a methodology combining metabolic glycoengineering and click chemistry with superhydrophobic surfaces is described to rapidly create spherically structured living bead units, that can surpass the fabrication constraints of conventional spheroids. Compared to spheroids produced in low attachment settings, the living beads comprising various cell types (i.e., stem, endothelial, and cancer cells) are rapidly produced and demonstrate enhanced cell viability and cell spreading over 14 days, while maintaining principal spheroid characteristics, namely the fusion into multi-scale living materials and cellular migration capabilities. In addition, this methodology enables the production of living beads with controlled size, independently of cell density, overcoming a key limitation of current spheroid production methods. The enhanced reproducibility, reduced cell assembly time, and improved handling make these spherically structured living beads a valuable alternative, with broad application in bottom-up tissue engineering approaches and disease modeling applications.

Keywords:  bottom‐up assembly; cellgel beads; hierarchical constructs; living materials; metabolic glycoengineering

DOI:  https://doi.org/10.1002/smtd.202501450
Adv Mater. 2026 Jan 14. e19286

Two-Photon 3D Printing of Functional Microstructures Inside Living Cells.

Maruša Mur, Aljaž Kavčič, Uroš Jagodič, Rok Podlipec, Matjaž Humar.

  3D printing is transforming manufacturing and biomedicine, yet it has not been demonstrated inside living cells. Additionally, there is no method to deliver micron-scale, free-standing solid microstructures directly into the cytosol of non-phagocytic cells. Here, both of these challenges are addressed by fabricating custom-shaped polymeric microstructures directly inside living cells using two-photon polymerization. A bio-compatible photoresist is injected into cells and selectively polymerized with a femtosecond laser, creating intracellular structures with submicron resolution. Structures of various shapes are printed in live cells, including a 10 μm$\umu {\rm m}$ elephant, barcodes for cell tracking, diffraction gratings for remote readout, and microlasers. The printed structures in cells can affect the cell biology. The demonstrated top-down intracellular biofabrication approach, combined with functional photoresists, may enable new applications in intracellular sensing, biomechanical manipulation, bioelectronics, and targeted drug delivery. These embedded structures could provide novel control over the intracellular environment, allowing engineering of cellular properties beyond natural limits and genetic engineering.

Keywords:  3D printing; intracellular biofabrication; intracellular devices; two‐photon lithography

DOI:  https://doi.org/10.1002/adma.202519286
ACS Synth Biol. 2026 Jan 16.

RNA-Based Communication in Heterogeneous Populations of Cell Mimics.

François-Xavier Lehr, Imre Banlaki, Eric Bumüller, Thibault Mercier, Henrike Niederholtmeyer.

  RNA regulators offer a promising path for building complex, orthogonal circuits due to their low resource demands and design flexibility. In this study, we explore their potential as signaling molecules in communication between synthetic cells. Specifically, we engineer populations of heterogenetic porous polymer cell mimics to produce, emit, and receive two types of small synthetic RNA regulators. These RNAs are required to activate reporter expression at both the levels of transcription and translation. We distribute this AND gate circuit in receiver and two types of sender cell mimics to compare the distributed logic computation to the behavior of the circuit in well-mixed, bulk cell-free expression reactions. Analyzing different densities and spatial arrangements of senders and receivers, we reveal spatiotemporal gradients in RNA signals and identify configurations that increase specific activation. With small regulatory RNAs, the engineering toolbox for communication between synthetic cells expands to include a programmable class of signaling molecules. The rapid turnover of RNA suggests applications in establishing dynamic signaling gradients in communities of synthetic cells.

Keywords:  RNA regulators; cell-free transcription and translation; communication; logic gate; synthetic cells

DOI:  https://doi.org/10.1021/acssynbio.5c00657
Nanomicro Lett. 2026 Jan 12. 18(1): 150

Biomimetic Gradient Lubrication Hydrogel Contrived by Self-Reinforced MOFs Nanoparticle Network.

Desheng Liu, Yixian Wang, Changcheng Bai, Danli Hu, Xingxing Yang, Yaozhong Lu, Tao Wu, Fei Zhai, Pan Jiang, Xiaolong Wang, Weimin Liu.

  The development of gradient lubrication materials is critical for numerous biomedical applications, particularly in magnifying mechanical properties and service longevity. Herein, we present an innovative approach to fabricate biomimetic gradient lubrication hydrogel through the synergistic integration of three-dimensional (3D) printed metal-organic frameworks (MOFs) nanoparticle network hydrogel skeletons with bio-inspired lubrication design. Specifically, robust hydrogel skeletons were engineered through single or multi-material 3D printing, followed by the in situ growth of MOFs nanoparticles within this hydrogel network to create a reinforced, load-bearing architecture. Subsequently, biomimetic lubrication capability was enabled by mechanically coupling another lubricating hydrogel within 3D-printed MOFs nanoparticle network hydrogel skeleton. The superficial layer is highly lubricious to ensure low coefficient of friction (~ 0.1141) and wear resistance (40,000 cycles), while the deeper layer is stiffer to afford the obligatory mechanical support (fracture strength ~ 2.50 MPa). Furthermore, the gradient architecture stiffness of the hydrogel can be modulated by manipulating the spatial distribution of MOFs within the 3D-printed hydrogel skeleton. As a proof-of-concept, biomimetic gradient hydrogel meniscus structures with C- and O-shaped configurations were constructed by leveraging multi-material 3D printing, demonstrating exceptional lubrication performance. This innovative biomimetic design opens new avenues for creating implantable biomedical gradient lubricating materials with reinforced mechanical and lubrication performance.

Keywords:  Biomimetic gradient architecture; DIW 3D printing; Lubricating hydrogel; MOFs nanoparticle network; Slippery meniscus

DOI:  https://doi.org/10.1007/s40820-025-02001-x
ACS Synth Biol. 2026 Jan 16.

Uncovering the Design Rules for Sustainable Growth of Mineralized Mycomaterials.

Dylan H Moss, Olivia Pear, Jorge Guío, Alyssa Libonati, Daniel Ducat, R Ko̅nane Bay, Arjun Khakhar.

  Mycomaterials, materials made from filamentous fungi, have several advantages over traditional materials such as their genetic programmability and self-healing properties. However, their lack of mechanical strength and cost of production often constrain the applications in which they can be used in. In this work, we take inspiration from natural systems to overcome these challenges by elucidating design principles for mineralization-based enhancement of mechanical strength and synthetic lichen-based low-cost growth. We demonstrate that surface display of an enzyme from sea sponges, silicatein α, on the hyphae of the filamentous fungus Aspergillus niger enables mineralization of polysilicate and that this does not impact fungal growth. We also show that this strategy can be extended to other silicatein α variants and characterize how the degree of mineralization can be modulated. We then demonstrate that mineralization enhances the mechanical properties of the mycelium including its tensile strength, modulus, and toughness. Finally, we show how these reinforced mycelia can be grown without external carbon sources using a synthetic lichen-based coculture to facilitate low-cost biomanufacturing. Together, our results lay the groundwork for the sustainable production of mineralized mycomaterials and create a new model system to study how mineralization impacts growth and mechanical properties.

Keywords:  biomineralization; engineered living material; fungal synthetic biology; mycomaterial; silicatein; synthetic lichen

DOI:  https://doi.org/10.1021/acssynbio.5c00713
ACS Nano. 2026 Jan 13.

Bioinspired Radiative Cooling Materials: From Design Principles to Building Energy Savings.

Yang Wang, Wei Chen, Feilong Zhang, Kai Song, Jingxin Meng, Shutao Wang.

  Accounting for over one-third of global energy use, buildings face a rapidly rising cooling demand driven by expanding floor areas and extensive air-conditioning, making them a major source of global energy consumption and carbon emissions. Radiative cooling (RC) materials offer a promising route to address the conflict between global decarbonization goals and energy-intensive cooling demands through zero-energy, eco-friendly building temperature regulation. However, their practical adoption is still hindered by the unique functional demands of different building components. To address these site-specific requirements, natural organisms guide the rapid development of bioinspired RC materials. Herein, we review recent advances in bioinspired RC materials for building energy savings spanning from material design to practical applications. First, we discuss the design of static and dynamic RC materials from the perspective of bioinspired structural design and material selection. Then, we introduce the specific requirements of RC materials in practical building applications, such as mechanical durability and self-cleaning capability for roofs, angle-selective design and thermal insulation for walls, and transparency and adaptability for windows. Next, we summarize the performance assessment of RC materials, covering both basic optical metrics and building-specific evaluations. Later, we present the discovery and structural design of RC materials driven by machine learning. Finally, we outline the path forward for RC materials, such as intelligent integration with other cooling methods, addressing the key challenges and prospects for their real-world building applications.

Keywords:  bioinspired materials; biological structure; building; dynamic thermal regulation; energy saving; machine learning; radiative cooling; responsive

DOI:  https://doi.org/10.1021/acsnano.5c18589
Small. 2026 Jan 12. e13586

Rare-Earth Coordination Hydrogels Enabling Self-Powered and Self-Luminous Closed-Loop Systems.

Kunda Yao, Yue Shen, Jingtai Li, Shuyan Song, Wei Liu.

  Rare-earth (RE) fluorescent hydrogels have emerged as promising candidates for sensing, encryption, and flexible display technologies. However, their reliance on external ultraviolet (UV) excitation severely hampers portability and integration into self-sustained electronic systems. Herein, we report a multifunctional Eu/Tb-doped hydrogel that uniquely combines stretchability, ionic conductivity, and tunable fluorescence. The hydrogel is constructed via EDC/NHS-mediated grafting of terpyridine (TPY) onto polyethyleneimine (PEI), followed by freeze-thaw crosslinking. RE ions coordinate with TPY ligands to generate dynamic crosslinking sites, thereby reinforcing mechanical robustness while imparting strong luminescence. A salting-out effect induced by NaCl further densifies polymer chains and enhances ionic conductivity. Encapsulated with VHB elastomer, the hydrogel functions as an electrode in a triboelectric nanogenerator (RE-TENG), achieving a peak power density of 0.22 W m-2. By directly coupling RE-doped fluorescent hydrogels with RE-TENGs, we demonstrate, for the first time, a fully self-powered and self-luminous hydrogel platform. The integrated device efficiently charges capacitors and drives UV LEDs to reveal encrypted fluorescent patterns without any external power supply. This work establishes a new paradigm for merging energy harvesting with information display, opening opportunities for next-generation wearable and secure optoelectronics.

Keywords:  hydrogel; multifunctional; rare‐earth; self‐power; triboelectric

DOI:  https://doi.org/10.1002/smll.202513586
Adv Mater. 2026 Jan 16. e17030

Viscoelastic Phase Transition of Polyborodimethylsiloxane (PBDMS) for Mechanical Pass Filters and Noise Fading Sensor.

Byeonghak Park, Jehyung Ok, Subin Park, Ye Ji Yang, Hyesu Jeon, Tae-Il Kim.

  Continuous monitoring of physiological signals is inevitably disrupted by motion artifacts and ambient mechanical noise. Signal processing is typically required to extract genuine physiological signals from motion artifacts, yet the signals can be distorted and classified incompletely. Previously, we presented a noise-selective damper based on gelatin hydrogel and chitosan, however, the hydrogel is unstable due to dehydration. In addition, various types of mechanical filters, such as high-pass, low-pass, and band-pass filters, are needed as alternatives to signal processing. Here, we present viscoelastic polyborodimethylsiloxane (PBDMS) based mechanical pass filters, which maintain stable damping properties for over three months. Dynamic bonding from hydrogen bonds and B─O bonds enables energy dissipation through chain rearrangement and entanglement. The damping behaviors can be tuned by adjusting its molecular weight. As molecular weight increases, the reconfiguration and re-bonding of these chains slow down, resulting in a longer relaxation time. This molecular-weight-dependent relaxation behavior allows precise control over the transition frequency. Furthermore, by parallelly assembling materials with distinct phase transition characteristics, not only high-pass, but also low-pass and band-pass mechanical filtering is achieved. Using PBDMS-based wearable bioelectronics, we successfully separate more than two concurrent mechanical signals without any additional signal processing.

Keywords:  mechanical filters; molecular weight; noise‐fading sensor; polyborodimethylsiloxane (PBDMS); vibration absorption

DOI:  https://doi.org/10.1002/adma.202517030
Adv Compos Hybrid Mater. 2026 ;9(1): 11

Hybrid Bioprinting for functionally graded tissue engineering constructs with patterned and localized biochemical signals.

Jiannan Li, Carolyn Kim, Hossein V Alizadeh, Shreya Garg, Arnaud Bruyas, Peng Zhao, Isadora S D Passos, Chi-Chun Pan, Andrea S Flores Pérez, Mark A Skylar-Scott, Sungwoo Kim, Yunzhi P Yang.

  Engineering native-mimetic tissue constructs is challenging due to their intricate biological and structural gradients. To address this, Hybprinter-SAM was developed by integrating three bioprinting technologies: syringe extrusion (SE), acoustic droplet ejection (ADE) and molten material extrusion (MME). This system not only enables the creation of mechanical gradients by integrating soft and rigid materials spanning 7 order magnitude of stiffness but also facilitates precise patterning and controlled localization of biochemical signals within printed scaffolds. This capability is beneficial in replicating the complexity of native tissues to enhance functionality. Both the printing process and biomaterials were optimized to balance printability, mechanical integrity, and biocompatibility. As a proof of concept, Hybprinter-SAM was used in a bone-tendon regeneration study to engineer a multi-material construct with patterned fibroblast growth factor 2 (FGF-2), resulting in markers indicative of fibrocartilage development. These findings highlight the potential of Hybprinter-SAM as a versatile platform for diverse tissue engineering applications that require complex, functionally graded tissue constructs.
Supplementary Information: The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1007/s42114-025-01546-0.

Keywords:  Bioprinting; Controlled release; Hybrid materials; Hydrogels; Stem cells; Tissue engineering

DOI:  https://doi.org/10.1007/s42114-025-01546-0
Adv Mater. 2026 Jan 10. e14940

Peptide-Induced Ferroelectricity in Charge-Transfer Supramolecular Materials.

James V Passarelli, Yang Yang, Cara S Smith, Jing Hao, Dhwanit R Dave, Ashwin Narayanan, Zaida Álvarez, Broderick K Johnson, Kelly A Marshall, Ivan Fithian, Hiroaki Sai, Ruomeng Qiu, Charlotte L Stern, Liam C Palmer, Evangelos Kiskinis, Samuel I Stupp.

  Organic ferroelectrics are of great interest in sustainable energy conversion, information storage, flexible electronics, and potential biomedical applications as soft implants, among many other applications. Despite their broad potential, the development of organic ferroelectrics has remained limited, with only a few known examples in solid-state systems, primarily due to the lack of well-established design strategies compared to inorganic systems. Bio-inspired supramolecular chemistry offers a path to create functional nanostructures that are water-processable and biocompatible. We report here on supramolecular charge transfer (CT) systems in which peptides are covalently linked to dyads of electron-donating and electron-accepting moieties, creating amphiphiles that self-assemble into nanoscale ribbons in water. The peptide chirality-induced symmetry breaking in these crystalline nanostructures not only results in second harmonic activity but also generates ferroelectric behavior across multiple CT systems, demonstrating a versatile supramolecular approach to the design of new organic ferroelectrics. Furthermore, culturing primary neuron cells on coatings of the ferroelectric materials promoted axonal growth and enhanced action potentials, indicating improved neuronal maturity facilitated by the polar structure of the ferroelectric nanomaterials. The supramolecular strategy used here holds promise to create new water-processable ferroelectric biomaterials, opening avenues for innovative applications in cell charge transfer, neuronal axon growth, peptide symmetry breaking, self-assembling peptides, supramolecular ferroelectrics proliferation, and bioelectronics.

Keywords:  charge transfer; neuronal axon growth; peptide symmetry breaking; self‐assembling peptides; supramolecular ferroelectrics

DOI:  https://doi.org/10.1002/adma.202514940
Sci Adv. 2026 Jan 16. 12(3): eaeb6538

The genesis of citrated ultrathin hydroxyapatite nanorods.

Yuqi Wang, Su Yan, Xinyu Tan, Ethan Gerhard, Hui Xu, Haiyue Jiang, Jian Yang.

Ideal orthopedic biomaterials should replicate both the hierarchical structure and exceptional mechanical strength of natural bone. Traditional polymer-hydroxyapatite composites, typically limited up to 40 wt % hydroxyapatite, offer only modest mechanical improvements. Efforts to enhance strength by using stiffer polymers have largely failed, as increased polymer stiffness does not translate to improved composite mechanics. In contrast, natural bone's load-bearing capability arises from the synergy between citrate, soft collagen, and ultrathin hydroxyapatite nanocrystals (~3 nanometers). Here, we show that elastic poly(octamethylene citrate) enables up to 60 wt % hydroxyapatite incorporation, mimicking the bone's mineral content. Through a top-down "citrification" process and hot pressing, hydroxyapatite microparticles are partially dissolved and recrystallized into superthin (~5 nanometers) nanorods, enhancing organic-inorganic integration and replicating bone's Ca/P ratios and architecture. The resulting composites exhibit compressive strengths exceeding 250 megapascals, unprecedented in polymer-mineral systems, offering a molecular design strategy for next-generation load-bearing orthopedic implants.

DOI: https://doi.org/10.1126/sciadv.aeb6538
Nat Mater. 2026 Jan 16.

Mechanical behaviour of additively manufactured metals.

Ting Zhu, Wen Chen.

Additive manufacturing is reshaping the production of engineering components in diverse industries, such as the automotive, aerospace, defence and biomedical sectors, by offering outstanding design and fabrication flexibility. The non-equilibrium processing conditions inherent to additive manufacturing yield materials with unique microstructures and tailored mechanical properties that are often unattainable through conventional routes. This Review highlights recent advances in additively manufactured metals that show distinctive mechanical behaviours, including strength-ductility synergy, microstresses and gradient plasticity, fracture and fatigue resistance, and high-temperature creep performance. We examine the deformation mechanisms and micromechanical effects arising from the heterogeneous microstructures produced by additive manufacturing to guide the design of high-performance structural materials. Furthermore, we discuss critical research needs and emerging opportunities in processing control, alloy design, advanced characterization, computational modelling and machine learning aimed at achieving exceptional mechanical properties in additively manufactured metals.

DOI: https://doi.org/10.1038/s41563-025-02459-5
Chem Soc Rev. 2026 Jan 12.

Additive manufacturing of metastructures at the micro- and nano-scale.

Shiqi Hu, Cherry Park, Sebin Jeong, Nara Jeon, Ji Tae Kim, Junsuk Rho.

The emergence of additive manufacturing techniques offers more opportunities for fabricating complex structures with designed properties that are challenging to achieve using traditional manufacturing methods. Micro-/nano-scale metastructures are among the most promising applications of additive manufacturing and are composed of meta-atoms at the subwavelength scale with artificial design, which enables the creation of materials and structures with tailored and programmable properties that go beyond the limitations of their natural and traditional counterparts. This review depicts the thriving intersection of state-of-the-art additive manufacturing and micro-/nano-scale metastructures, such as metamaterials, metasurfaces, etc., aiming to provide a comprehensive overview of current achievements and explore future potential. An array of additive manufacturing techniques are discussed, such as electrohydrodynamic printing, two-photon lithography, and aerosol jet printing, which are reshaping the fabrication of metastructures with unprecedented structural design and functional diversity. Furthermore, the selection of the materials based on fabrication principles and device functions is considered. The diverse applications based on different metastructures are highlighted. Finally, this review is concluded by discussing the current challenges and giving future perspectives.

DOI: https://doi.org/10.1039/d4cs01054j
Nature. 2026 Jan 14.

3D-printed low-voltage-driven ciliary hydrogel microactuators.

Zemin Liu, Che Wang, Ziyu Ren, Chunxiang Wang, Wenkang Wang, Jongkuk Ko, Shanyuan Song, Chong Hong, Xi Chen, Hongguang Wang, Wenqi Hu, Metin Sitti.

Micrometre-sized, densely packed natural cilia that perform non-reciprocal 3D motions with dynamically tunable collective patterns are crucial for biological processes such as microscale locomotion1, nutrient acquisition2, cell trafficking3-5 and embryonic and neurological development6-8. However, replicating these motions in artificial systems remains challenging given the limits of scalable, locally controllable soft-bodied actuation at the micrometre scale. Overcoming this challenge would enhance our understanding of ciliary dynamics, clarify their biological importance and enable new microscale devices and bioinspired technologies. Here we show a previously unrecognized fast electrical response of micrometre-scale hydrogels, induced by voltages down to 1.5 V without hydrolysis, with bending motions driven by ion migration across a nanometre-scale hydrogel network 3D-printed by two-photon polymerization, occurring within milliseconds. On the basis of these findings, we print gel microcilia arrays composed of a soft acrylic acid-co-acrylamide (AAc-co-AAm) hydrogel (modulus of approximately 1,000 Pa) that respond to electrical stimuli within milliseconds. Each microcilium measures 2-10 µm in diameter and 18-90 µm in height, achieving 3D rotational bending motion at up to 40 Hz, mirroring the geometry and dynamics of natural cilia. These gel microcilia maintain functionality after 330,000 continuous actuation cycles with less than 30% performance degradation. The gel microcilia arrays can be integrated on flexible polyimide substrates and fabricated at large scale using conventional lithography techniques. They also offer individual dynamic control by means of microelectrode arrays and enable fluid manipulation and particle transport at the micrometre scale.

DOI: https://doi.org/10.1038/s41586-025-09944-6
Small. 2026 Jan 14. e12963

Cooperative Rotation of Multiple FoF1-ATPase Motors in a Janus Photophosphorylation Nanobot.

Yue Li, Yang Huang, Mingjun Xuan, Yingjie Wu, Qiang He.

  Inspired by the precise collective action of biological motors, we here develop asymmetric photophosphorylation nanobots through the hierarchical co-assembly of thylakoid vesicles and lecithin liposomes. This approach yields anisotropic vesicles that preserve robust photophosphorylation capacity activity while integrating multiple FoF1-ATPase motors into a spatially organized nanoarchitecture. Upon light illumination, proton gradients drive ATP synthesis and trigger synchronized rotation of the embedded motors, leading to emergent vortex flows that enable efficient nanobot propulsion. Importantly, the propulsion velocity exhibits a linear dependence on motor number, providing direct evidence of force amplification through motor coordination. Hydrodynamic simulations further reveal that increased motor density strengthens inter-motor coupling via a single-vortex collective mode. By emulating the fundamental principles of biological motor cooperation through rational supramolecular design, this platform offers a powerful framework for achieving life-like, programmable motion at the microscale, with significant potential for applications in active cargo delivery and adaptive biomimetic robotic systems.

Keywords:  ATPase; active diffusion; cooperative rotation; nanobot; self‐propulsion

DOI:  https://doi.org/10.1002/smll.202512963
Chem Commun (Camb). 2026 Jan 16.

Photopolymerizable green composite biomaterials for potential 3D printing applications.

Jun Shen, Xiaotong Peng, Pu Xiao.

With the depletion of petroleum resources and escalating environmental pollution, the development of sustainable alternatives to conventional polymers is urgently needed. Green composite biomaterials (GCBs), designed for renewability, biocompatibility, and biodegradability, have emerged as promising alternatives to petroleum-based materials. In parallel, vat photopolymerization (VPP) 3D printing has established itself as a green manufacturing technique, offering solvent-free process, reduced waste, and mild curing conditions. By combining the merits of GCBs and VPP 3D printing, a synergistic pathway toward a green circular model is established. This feature review highlights recent progress in this field. Specifically, we discuss our contribution in the development of novel photoinitiators, rational design strategies for functional GCBs with self-healing capacity, enhanced mechanical performance and bio-functionalities, and the role of biobased nanofillers. Together, these advances outline a roadmap for translating sustainable photopolymer composites into practical applications in biomedical engineering and beyond.

DOI: https://doi.org/10.1039/d5cc05623c
ACS Appl Bio Mater. 2026 Jan 12.

Strategies toward Renewable and Compostable Intravenous Bag Materials.

Daniel M Krajovic, Margaret S Kumler, Tyler Gathman, Jamee Schoephoerster, Ranveer Vasdev, Stephanie R Liffland, Derek C Batiste, Jill Schappa Faustich, Rafael Andrade, Marc A Hillmyer.

  The medical industry contributes significantly to single-use plastic waste, as illustrated most recently by the COVID-19 pandemic. While safety standards mandate the use of disposable, single-use items for the highest-value applications, there is an opportunity to pursue greater circularity in higher-volume, bulk plastic goods, including intravenous (IV) bags. Herein, we assessed two thermoplastic elastomers based on renewable, compostable poly(γ-methyl-ε-caprolactone) (PγMCL) as IV bag material alternatives to the nonrenewable, potentially harmful phthalate-plasticized poly(vinyl chloride) (PVC) industry standard. We synthesized a thermoplastic poly(urethane-urea) (TPUU) and 4-arm PγMCL-b-poly((-)-lactide) star-block polymer ((ML)4) on >55 g scales and comprehensively evaluated their mechanical and (bio)chemical readiness for an IV bag application. The TPUU showed excellent mechanical parity with PVC, and both PγMCL-based materials displayed superior cytocompatibility to PVC. An in vivo implantation study in a rat model revealed no significantly adverse histopathology resulting from direct tissue contact with the TPUU or (ML)4. The PγMCL-based materials also conform to ISO-standardized chemical hazard thresholds similarly to PVC. Our work is the first to target IV bag waste through direct replacement of current materials with intrinsically circular polymers, providing an evaluation framework for future IV bag candidates and expanding PγMCL's application scope to the biomedical sector.

Keywords:  block polymers; in vivo implantation; medical devices; polyesters; sustainable materials

DOI:  https://doi.org/10.1021/acsabm.5c02054
Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A. 2026 Jan 20. 123(3): e2519305123

Controlled assembly and sophisticated additive manufacturing of macroscopic droplets.

Yujie Yang, Huasheng Tian, Aixin Song, Lu Xu, Jingcheng Hao.

  Assembly of liquid droplets into ordered patterns and architectures has gained great interests in recent years in view of its tremendous prospects in achieving advanced biological, biochemical, and biomimetic functions. Nevertheless, current assembly techniques using lipids or colloidal particles are generally of complicated preparations, long periods, and limited droplet sizes. Here, we develop a simple and ultrafast route to assemble macroscopic water droplets into three reconfigurable structures defined as "connection", "arrest coalescence", and "total coalescence", respectively, in dodecane using jammed nanoparticle surfactant films (termed as "POSS surfactants") with tunable interfacial properties. Further with the POSS surfactants facilitating a sturdy and nearly instant connection between the macrodroplets, they can act as one kind of compartmentalized 3D printing inks for constructing all-liquid patterns and more integrated, sophisticated architectures capable of functioning as microreactors for transporting cargo molecules over controlled macroscale distances and dimensions. Our study can serve as a useful complement to conventional approaches that are normally used for assembling microsized droplets.

Keywords:  additive manufacturing; controlled assembly; macroscopic droplets; molecular transport; nanoparticle surfactant

DOI:  https://doi.org/10.1073/pnas.2519305123
Proc Jpn Acad Ser B Phys Biol Sci. 2026 ;102(1): 40-56

Spider silk-based structural proteins as tough, biodegradable, and sustainable polymers.

Keiji Numata.

  Spider silk has garnered significant attention across diverse research fields because of its remarkable physical and biological properties, which have driven extensive efforts to develop materials and fabrication processes that replicate its unique characteristics. This review focuses on the structure of silk fibers and the mechanisms that underlie their formation, with an emphasis on the hierarchical organization that contributes to their outstanding performance. Additionally, the biodegradability of silk proteins and their degradation products are discussed, and their potential for sustainable material design are highlighted.

Keywords:  biodegradability; fiber; liquid–liquid phase separation; spider silk; structural protein; toughness

DOI:  https://doi.org/10.2183/pjab.102.003
Chem Rev. 2026 Jan 16.

Covalent Adaptable Networks: Reprocessable Cross-Linked Polymers.

Molly Sun, Lillian M Felsenthal, Subeen Kim, Elizabeth Y Choi, Laura J Reed, Benjamin R Elling, William R Dichtel.

Thermoset polymers have desirable properties, such as excellent thermal and mechanical stability, but their covalent cross-links typically prevent repair or recycling. By enabling and controlling dynamic exchange reactions within polymer networks, their covalent bonds rearrange and allow the polymer to be reshaped. These viscoelastic polymer networks, now known as covalent adaptable networks (CANs), are an important frontier for improving plastic circularity, as well as for designing valuable stimuli-responsive materials. This Review describes the history of CANs, dating back to the early days of polymer science, and the evolution of their classification and nomenclature. A comprehensive survey of dynamic reactions and linkage chemistries is provided, as well as methods to characterize and reprocess CANs. Beyond straightforward reprocessing, many advanced applications of CANs and their composites are now emerging. Finally, we provide perspective on how the development of new chemistries, strategies to control stimuli-responsive bond exchange and mechanical properties, and a deep understanding of exchange reactions will advance this field toward scalable, sustainable, and high-value materials.

DOI: https://doi.org/10.1021/acs.chemrev.4c00994