Four-dimensional Biofabrication: Stimuli-responsive Mechanisms for Tissue Engineering

A special issue of Journal of Functional Biomaterials (ISSN 2079-4983).

Deadline for manuscript submissions: closed (31 March 2019) | Viewed by 9733

Special Issue Editor

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

The main aim of 4D biofabrication is to develop biological 3D structures, which can change their properties (e.g., stiffness, shape, volume) when triggered by a pre-defined stimulus (e.g., electricity, ionic force, light, magnetic field, pH, temperature). However, to be successful, several challenges arise, namely: (i) bioinks must be optimized to achieve successful printing or assembly; (ii) processes must be mechanically designed to obtain robust shape-changing capacity of the constructs; (iii) specific bioreactors for complex tissue function maturation need to be invented; and (iv) evaluation procedures should be defined to examine the functionality response. In this Special Issue, we will include original articles focusing on the development of automated generation of biologically functional products with structural organization, according to the four above-mentioned items. We will also cover a wide range of biofabrication processes (e.g., bioprinting, bioassembly) that bridge the gap from basic science to clinical applications. In addition, living cells, bioactive molecules, biomaterials, cell aggregates such as micro-tissues, or hybrid cell–material constructs, and subsequent tissue maturation processes could also be appropriate. Further, review manuscripts able to stimulate creative thinking will be highlighted.

Dr. Pedro Morouço
Guest Editor

Manuscript Submission Information

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Keywords

  • smart materials
  • additive manufacturing
  • tissue engineering

Published Papers (1 paper)

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Review

7 pages, 228 KiB  
Review
4D Printing: The Shape-Morphing in Additive Manufacturing
by Ana P. Piedade
J. Funct. Biomater. 2019, 10(1), 9; https://0-doi-org.brum.beds.ac.uk/10.3390/jfb10010009 - 22 Jan 2019
Cited by 46 | Viewed by 9177
Abstract
3D printing of polymers can now be considered as a common processing technology for the development of biomaterials. These can be constituted out of polymeric abiotic material alone or can be co-printed with living cells. However, the adaptive and shape-morphing characteristics cannot be [...] Read more.
3D printing of polymers can now be considered as a common processing technology for the development of biomaterials. These can be constituted out of polymeric abiotic material alone or can be co-printed with living cells. However, the adaptive and shape-morphing characteristics cannot be developed with the rigid, pre-determined structures obtained by 3D printing. In order to produce functional engineered biomaterials, the dynamic properties/characteristics of the living cells must be attained. 4D printing can be envisaged as a route to achieve these goals. This paper intends to give a brief review of the pioneer 4D printing research that has been developed and to present an insight into future research in this field. Full article
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