3D/4D Bioprinting and Smart Scaffolds for Regenerative Medicine

Advances in regenerative medicine are transforming how we approach tissue and organ repair, offering patient-specific and functional alternatives to conventional grafts and implants. Among these innovations, 3D and 4D bioprinting technologies combined with smart scaffolds have emerged as groundbreaking strategies that enable the fabrication of living tissues taking into consideration the structural, biochemical, as well as the dynamic complexity. While 3D bioprinting provides precise control over spatial organization, 4D bioprinting introduces adaptive, dynamic behavior into these systems, allowing constructs to adapt and respond to physiological stimuli. Furthermore, smart scaffolds further enhance these systems by incorporating responsive biomaterials, controlled release mechanisms, and bioactive and responsive platforms to mimic native extracellular matrix environments, enhancing cell proliferation, differentiation, and tissue regeneration. This Research Topic will bring together multidisciplinary contributions exploring the design, materials, and biological applications of 3D/4D bioprinting and smart scaffolds in regenerative medicine Together, these innovations hold immense potential for developing patient-tailored solutions that have the potential to overcome longstanding barriers in clinical regenerative medicine.

The aim of this Research Topic is to advance the understanding and application of next-generation bioprinting and scaffold technologies in regenerative medicine. Despite remarkable progress, challenges such as vascularization, immune compatibility, large-scale production, and regulatory hurdles remain. By collecting cutting-edge research and critical reviews, this topic would address key barriers, encourage collaborative solutions, and inspire the development of clinically translatable approaches. The ultimate goal is to accelerate the translation of 3D/4D bioprinting and smart scaffold systems from bench to bedside, enabling novel therapies for conditions ranging from musculoskeletal defects to cardiovascular and neural disorders.

This Research Topic invites contributions that explore innovations in 3D and 4D bioprinting and the development of smart scaffolds for regenerative medicine. Key themes include novel biomaterials and bio-ink, intelligent scaffold architectures, dynamic and stimuli-responsive systems, strategies for vascularization and innervation, bioreactors and tissue maturation approaches, and immune-modulatory scaffold designs. We also welcome studies integrating growth factors, nanoparticles, or gene editing tools to enhance regenerative outcomes. Emphasis is placed on translational research, clinical challenges, and regulatory considerations that bridge the gap between laboratory discoveries and therapeutic applications. We encourage the submission of original research articles, reviews, mini-reviews, methods, and perspectives that provide mechanistic insights, highlight emerging trends, or present interdisciplinary approaches to advance the field. This Research Topic aims to foster a global exchange of ideas that will accelerate innovation and clinical adoption in regenerative medicine.

Article types and fees

This Research Topic accepts the following article types, unless otherwise specified in the Research Topic description:

• Brief Research Report
• Data Report
• Editorial
• FAIR² Data
• General Commentary
• Methods
• Mini Review
• Original Research
• Perspective
• ... View all formats

Articles that are accepted for publication by our external editors following rigorous peer review incur a publishing fee charged to Authors, institutions, or funders.

Article types

This Research Topic accepts the following article types, unless otherwise specified in the Research Topic description:

• Brief Research Report
• Data Report
• Editorial
• FAIR² Data
• General Commentary
• Methods
• Mini Review
• Original Research
• Perspective
• Review

Keywords: 3D/4D Bioprinting, Tissue engineering, Stem cells, Biocompatible materials, Drug delivery systems, Scaffolds, Regenerative medicine, Biomedical Technology

Important note: All contributions to this Research Topic must be within the scope of the section and journal to which they are submitted, as defined in their mission statements. Frontiers reserves the right to guide an out-of-scope manuscript to a more suitable section or journal at any stage of peer review.