Evidence map›Paper›PMID 42801573›Full record

ReviewAdvanced science (Weinheim, Baden-Wurttemberg, Germany)2026

Smart Bioinks for 4D Bioprinting: Requirements, Design, and Applications.

Shangsi Chen, Jiahui Lai, Qiongjiao Zeng, Liangbin Zhou, Boguang Yang, Bin Zhang, Min Wang, Jiajing Zhou, Kieran Lau, Khoon S Lim and 2 more

Abstract readReview
PubMed Full text at PMC Publisher
In one paragraph

Review in Advanced science (Weinheim, Baden-Wurttemberg, Germany), 2026. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Not yet cited in PubMed.

0numbers the graph read from it
0cells of the map it votes in
0citing papers in PubMed
–field-weighted citation impact
1 · What the graph read from it

What it found

Each row is one number read from the abstract, on the scale the paper reported it, with its interval. Left of the dashed line favours the treatment, right favours the comparator. Under each row is the sentence it came from. New to these charts? A ten-minute tutorial.

The abstract states no effect estimate the extractor could read, or names no intervention and outcome on the map, so this paper lights no cell and moves no belief. It is still indexed, cited and linked below.

2 · The registry

The trial behind it

Trials whose registry record cites this paper, or whose number appears in the abstract. A trial that started after this paper was published is citing it as background, not reporting it.

Neither the registry nor the abstract names a trial number. If this is a trial report, that itself is worth knowing.

3 · Its place in the literature

Who cites it

0 citing papers in PubMed.

No citing paper in PubMed yet.

4 · The record

Corrections and comments

PubMed lists nothing against this paper. Absence here is not a guarantee, only a check that was made.

5 · Who and what money

Authors and funding

12 authors.

Shangsi Chen *Department of Biomedical Engineering, The Chinese University of Hong Kong (CUHK), Shatin, Hong Kong, China.ORCID https://orcid.org/0000-0002-5906-9649
Jiahui Lai *Department of Biomedical Engineering, The Chinese University of Hong Kong (CUHK), Shatin, Hong Kong, China.
Qiongjiao ZengDepartment of Biomedical Engineering, The Chinese University of Hong Kong (CUHK), Shatin, Hong Kong, China.
Liangbin ZhouDepartment of Biomedical Engineering, The Chinese University of Hong Kong (CUHK), Shatin, Hong Kong, China.ORCID https://orcid.org/0000-0003-4153-4984
Boguang YangDepartment of Biomedical Engineering, The Chinese University of Hong Kong (CUHK), Shatin, Hong Kong, China.
Bin ZhangDepartment of Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering, Brunel University London, London, UK.ORCID https://orcid.org/0000-0003-2374-0127
Min WangDepartment of Mechanical Engineering, The University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, China.ORCID https://orcid.org/0000-0002-6495-5637
Jiajing ZhouCollege of Biomass Science and Engineering, Key Laboratory of Leather Chemistry and Engineering of Ministry of Education, National Engineering Laboratory for Clean Technology of Leather Manufacture, Sichuan University, Chengdu, China.ORCID https://orcid.org/0000-0001-5203-4737
Kieran LauCharles Perkins Centre, and School of Medical Sciences, The University of Sydney, Camperdown, New South Wales, Australia.ORCID https://orcid.org/0000-0003-4756-2644
Khoon S LimCharles Perkins Centre, and School of Medical Sciences, The University of Sydney, Camperdown, New South Wales, Australia.ORCID https://orcid.org/0000-0002-2486-196X
Zhong Alan LiDepartment of Biomedical Engineering, The Chinese University of Hong Kong (CUHK), Shatin, Hong Kong, China.ORCID https://orcid.org/0000-0002-6009-629X
Rocky S TuanDepartment of Biomedical Engineering, The Chinese University of Hong Kong (CUHK), Shatin, Hong Kong, China.ORCID https://orcid.org/0000-0001-6067-6705

Funding

CUHK Peter Hung Pain Research Institute PHPRI/2024/122National Natural Science Foundation of China 82302753Research Grants Council of Hong Kong S.A.R. of the People's Republic of China 24203523
6 · The paper itself

Abstract

3D bioprinting is known for its high precision and reproducibility in fabricating complex and customized biomedical constructs. However, its applications are limited by their static nature; i.e., unlike native tissues, they cannot change shape or functionality over time. To overcome this, 4D bioprinting has emerged as a groundbreaking strategy by incorporating time as the fourth dimension, enabling dynamic structures that adapt in response to stimuli, thereby more accurately replicating living tissues. The success of 4D bioprinting hinges on the development of advanced smart bioinks, as their physicochemical properties uniquely dictate the shape-morphing behavior, functionality, and performance of bioprinted constructs. These bioinks must be precisely engineered to respond to specific stimuli. This review first introduces 4D bioprinting technologies for tissue engineering scaffolds. We then outline essential requirements for smart bioinks and highlight how AI, particularly machine learning, is revolutionizing their design. Additionally, we examine widely used biomaterials for 4D bioprinting and discuss promising candidates for 4D printing. We also present cutting-edge bioink applications in tissue engineering, drug screening, and disease modeling, showcasing their potential in regenerative medicine and personalized therapeutics. Finally, we discuss current challenges and future perspectives, underscoring the transformative impact of smart bioinks and 4D bioprinting on biomedical innovation.

Indexed as

4D bioprintingartificial intelligencehydrogelsmachine learningsmart bioinksstimuli‐responsive

Identifiers

PMID42801573
PMCPMC13616272

What OpenQuestion holds

Textmetadata
Read underepoch 390

Registered trials

None linked

Read under generation 80e0d062 · epoch 390. Bibliography from PubMed, PubMed Central and OpenAlex; grants from NIH RePORTER; trial links from ClinicalTrials.gov; estimates, votes and beliefs from the OpenQuestion graph.