Bone tissue engineering (BTE) is pivotal for addressing bone defects. It integrates biomaterials, cells, and bioactive factors to mimic the natural bone microenvironment, thereby promoting bone regeneration and repair. In this system, scaffolds provide physical support and nutrient transport for cells. Three-dimensional (3D) printing revolutionizes BTE by fabricating customized scaffolds tailored to individual patients. As the cornerstone of 3D bioprinting, bioinks must meet strict biocompatibility and printability requirements to drive BTE advancement. In this review, we first explore the principles, advantages, and limitations of various bioprinting techniques. Furthermore, we also summarized recent breakthroughs and merits of three key photo-crosslinking reactions, including photoinitiated free radical crosslinking, photoclick crosslinking, and photo-conjugation crosslinking. Moreover, this review focused on the properties of natural polymers, synthetic polymers, and calcium phosphate-based inorganic materials in bioink formulation, as well as their BTE applications. Finally, a concise outlook on the future advancement of photocurable bioinks was provided.

Pathological calcification is typically regarded as a pathological endpoint, representing the abnormal deposition of calcium salts in tissues. With the continuous advancement of research, scientists have explored novel therapeutic strategies involving the induced calcification of tumor cells, demonstrating its potential therapeutic capabilities. Recently, a pioneering study on the use of induced calcification to treat bacterial infections has been reported. This commentary first introduces the classification, etiology, and treatment of pathological calcification. Then, the antibacterial effects of induced calcification therapy through the delicately designed antibacterial agent against methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) are generally demonstrated and discussed. The underlying mechanism of induced calcification for the treatment of chronic lung infections and chronic osteomyelitis caused by MRSA is revealed from the perspectives of bacterial energy metabolism and immune modulation. At the end of this commentary, challenges and future directions for induced calcification therapy are also briefly presented.

Osteoarthritis (OA) is a common degenerative joint disease driven by synovial inflammation and immune dysregulation, especially in the knee joint. Macrophages play a key role in innate immunity and can differentiate into pro-inflammatory M1 or anti-inflammatory M2 phenotypes, which have a significant impact on the progression of OA. Electrospun nanofiber membranes, as a promising biomaterial, can regulate the polarization of macrophages towards the M2 phenotype, thereby reducing inflammation and promoting tissue repair. This article systematically reviews the immune microenvironment of OA, the mechanism of macrophage polarization, and the role of nanofiber membranes in the treatment of OA. In conclusion, the continuous development of nanofiber membrane technology will greatly change the future of OA treatment and provide more effective and efficient solutions for patients.

When focusing on enhancing specificity, selectivity, and reproducibility of a powerful transducer, such as graphene-based field effect transistors (gFETs), the surface architecture is nearly as important as the bioreceptor, and plays a pivotal role, especially for sensing in complex real-world media. Maximizing analyte-receptor binding efficiency and boosting signal transduction require careful consideration of the charge and size of the bioreceptor and the implementation of strategies for bioreceptor configuration optimization, and concepts to prevent non-specific binding. Antifouling strategies for gFETs commonly include the integration of polyethylene glycol or creating barriers against unwanted proteins and molecules via the formation of functional coatings on the device surface. Recently, special approaches have been proposed, such as coating graphene with co-polymers or hydrogels. This perspective article will discuss how the unique properties of these materials can be leveraged to improve gFET sensor sensitivity, selectivity, and performance towards protein biomarkers.

Bacterial infections caused by biomaterials represent a significant challenge in the clinical management of implants. Implant infections not only lead to surgical failure, prolong patient hospital stays, and increase healthcare costs, but may also trigger severe complications and even pose a threat to the patient’s life. Research on antimicrobial materials for metal implant surfaces holds significant importance. By developing antimicrobial coatings for implant surfaces or utilizing inherently antimicrobial metallic materials, bacterial adhesion and growth on implant surfaces can be effectively suppressed, thereby reducing infection rates and improving the success rate of implant surgeries. Simultaneously, the development of antimicrobial materials also contributes to advancing medical materials science, offering new approaches and methodologies for antimicrobial design in other medical devices. This holds broad application prospects and significant socioeconomic benefits.

Peripheral nerve injury remains a significant clinical challenge, particularly in cases of long-gap defects. While autologous nerve grafting serves as the current gold standard treatment, its limitations include donor site morbidity and limited donor nerve availability. As a promising alternative, nerve guidance conduits (NGCs) have emerged within the field of tissue engineering. Incorporating electrical stimulation into NGCs has been shown to facilitate peripheral nerve repair by promoting Schwann cell migration and neurite extension. A significant advancement in this area is the application of piezoelectric biomaterials, which generate endogenous electrical signals from physiological mechanical stimuli. This self-powered mechanism eliminates the need for external power sources or additional surgical interventions. This review systematically examines the material design, fabrication strategies, and electromechanical properties of piezoelectric NGCs, along with their recent applications for enhancing Schwann cell function, guiding axonal growth, and promoting functional nerve recovery. Furthermore, it discusses current challenges and future directions, aiming to provide novel insights for the development of next-generation intelligent neural repair materials.