Dear Colleagues:

As cell carriers, hydrogels can support the three-dimensional growth of cells, and provide a sufficient number of adhesion sites to allow close contact between the cells and the material. Highly hydrated hydrophilic polymer networks of hydrogels contain pores and void space between the polymer chains; This provides many advantages over the common solid scaffold materials, including an enhanced supply of nutrients and oxygen for the cells. When it comes down to a material with desired properties in tissue engineering, hydrogels exceedingly outperform other candidates in the field by providing higher biological compatibility, cell desired water content, and facile tunability towards more biologically desired niches for cell proliferation and differentiation. Three-dimensional (3D) printing, as an emerging additive manufacturing strategy, demonstrates great potentials for engineering tough hydrogels with versatile applications. 

This special issue “Advances in 3D printing of hydrogels” aims to review the recent progress on 3D printing of hydrogels and their relevant applications. This Special Issue, entitled advances in 3D Printing of Hydrogels, covers advances and novel methodologies in 3D bioprinting of bioactive hydrogels. Notably, this issue also covers pure theoretical modeling whose results advances the respected field.