Recently, teachers from BEBC, Dr. Bin Gao, Qingzhen Yang, Xin Zhao, Guirui Jin, Yufei Li and Prof. Feng Xu, published a review paper on Trends in Biotechnology (IF 11.958). The paper was entitled "4D Bioprinting for Biomedical Applications". 4D bioprinting has emerged recently, where "time" is integrated with 3D bioprinting as the forth dimension, and printed objects can change their shapes or functionalities when an external stimulus is imposed or when cell fusion so postprinting self-assembly occurs. In the review, they highlight recent developments in 4D bioprinting technology as well as the uses of 4D bioprinting in tissue engineering and drug delivery. Also, they discuss the major roadblocks to this approach, together with possible solutions, to provide future perspectives on this technology.

Paper link: http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0167779916000664