Biofunctional and Interface-Engineered Hydrogels for Advanced Tissue Engineering

Hydrogels are recognized as promising biomaterials in tissue engineering, playing key roles as adhesives, patches, dressings, and scaffolds for tissue repair. Their interactions with tissues, from the cellular to the entire tissue interface level, have made bioinspired surface modification a significant research focus. This review systematically examines the progress in hydrogel-based tissue engineering, emphasizing the benefits of interface modifications. It highlights key design principles, including surface structure optimization, material selection, crosslinking techniques, and advanced manufacturing strategies such as 3D bioprinting and electrospinning. The review discusses three core strategies: controlling hydrogel surface structures, chemical composition, and functionality. It explores the use of natural and synthetic materials, along with common physical and chemical crosslinking methods. Additionally, it evaluates the role of techniques such as grafting, coating, electrospinning, patterning, and 3D printing in creating bioinspired surfaces that closely mimic native tissue environments, enhancing tissue regeneration. The effectiveness of these surfaces in soft and hard tissue repair is assessed, suggesting that recent advancements offer valuable insights for hydrogel design and application, while outlining future directions for achieving successful tissue engineering outcomes, improving clinical therapeutic strategies, and expanding hydrogel-based technologies in regenerative medicine.