Four-dimensional bioprinting of tissues goes beyond cellular constructs that evolve or mature over time. It should incorporate time as an active design parameter, enabling programmed and predictable transformations. This requires implementing shape-morphing behaviour, either within materials or cell–matrix composites, to control the construct’s transition in form or size.
This is a preview of subscription content, access via your institution
Access options
Subscribe to this journal
Receive 12 digital issues and online access to articles
$119.00 per year
only $9.92 per issue
Buy this article
- Purchase on SpringerLink
- Instant access to the full article PDF.
USD 39.95
Prices may be subject to local taxes which are calculated during checkout
References
Silberman, E., Oved, H., Namestnikov, M., Shapira, A. & Dvir, T. Post‐maturation reinforcement of 3D‐printed vascularized cardiac tissues. Adv. Mater. 35, 2302229 (2023).
Noor, N. et al. 3D printing of personalized thick and perfusable cardiac patches and hearts. Adv. Sci. 6, 1900344 (2019).
Gong, J. et al. Complexation-induced resolution enhancement of 3D-printed hydrogel constructs. Nat. Commun. 11, 1267 (2020).
Di Marco, G. et al. Tunable thermoshrinkable hydrogels for 4D fabrication of cell-seeded channels. Adv. Funct. Mater. 35, 2502042 (2025).
Baruch, E. S. et al. One-step coordinated multi-kinetic 4D printing of human vascularized cardiac tissues with selective fast-shrinking capillaries. Adv. Mater. 38, e12879 (2026).
Kitana, W., Apsite, I., Hazur, J., Boccaccini, A. R. & Ionov, L. 4D biofabrication of T-shaped vascular bifurcation. Adv. Mater. Technol. 8, 2200429 (2023).
Xie, R. et al. Magnetically driven formation of 3D freestanding soft bioscaffolds. Sci. Adv. 10, eadl1549 (2024).
Maity, N. et al. A personalized multifunctional 3D printed shape memory‐displaying, drug releasing tracheal stent. Adv. Funct. Mater. 31, 2108436 (2021).
Liu, B. et al. 4D printed hydrogel scaffold with swelling-stiffening properties and programmable deformation for minimally invasive implantation. Nat. Commun. 15, 1587 (2024).
Acknowledgements
T.D. is the Closner Family Chair for Next Generation Organ and Tissue Implants. The work was partially supported by the ERC Consolidator Grant (101001242) and the Israeli Science Foundation Breakthrough Research Grants (1418/24).
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
Contributions
All authors discussed and drafted the manuscript, designed the figure, and revised and approved the final version.
Corresponding author
Ethics declarations
Competing interests
The authors declare no competing interests.
Rights and permissions
About this article
Cite this article
Baruch, E.S., Silberman, E., Shapira, A. et al. Reassessing the scope and definition of 4D tissue bioprinting. Nat Rev Bioeng (2026). https://doi.org/10.1038/s44222-026-00402-0
Published:
Version of record:
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1038/s44222-026-00402-0
