Nanocellulose-based bio-inks for 3D bioprinting: advances and prospects in bone and cartilage tissue engineering

Yiwei Xu; Hanqing Dai; Qianwang Ye; Wanlu Zhang; Na Wang; Lei Xiong; Ruiqian Guo

doi:10.20517/ss.2025.107

Soft Science ›› 2026, Vol. 6 ›› Issue (1) :7 DOI: 10.20517/ss.2025.107

Review Article

Nanocellulose-based bio-inks for 3D bioprinting: advances and prospects in bone and cartilage tissue engineering

Yiwei Xu ¹^,^#
, Hanqing Dai ¹^,²^,^#^,^*^,*
, Qianwang Ye ¹
, Wanlu Zhang ¹^,^*^,*
, Na Wang ³^,^*^,*
, Lei Xiong ⁴^,^*^,*
, Ruiqian Guo ^1*^,*

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¹College of Intelligent Robotics and Advanced Manufacturing, Fudan University, Shanghai 200433, China.

²International Institute for Intelligent Nanorobots and Nanosystems, Fudan University, Shanghai 200433, China.

³Institute of Pediatrics, Children’s Hospital of Fudan University, Shanghai 201102, China.

⁴School of clinical medicine, Yunnan University of Chinese Medicine, Kunming 650500, Yunnan, China.

These two authors contributed equally to this work.

^*Correspondence to: Prof. Hanqing Dai, College of Intelligent Robotics and Advanced Manufacturing, Fudan University, Shanghai 200433, China; International Institute for Intelligent Nanorobots and Nanosystems, Fudan University, Shanghai 200433, China. E-mail: hqdai@fudan.edu.cn; Prof. Wanlu Zhang, College of Intelligent Robotics and Advanced Manufacturing, Fudan University, Shanghai 200433, China. E-mail: fdwlzhang@fudan.edu.cn; Dr. Na Wang, Institute of Pediatrics, Children’s Hospital of Fudan University, Shanghai 201102, China. E-mail: 18203638814@163.com; Prof. Lei Xiong, School of clinical medicine, Yunnan University of Chinese Medicine, Kunming 650500, Yunnan, China. E-mail: xlluck@sina.com; Prof. Ruiqian Guo, College of Intelligent Robotics and Advanced Manufacturing, Fudan University, Shanghai 200433, China. E-mail: rqguo@fudan.edu.cn

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Abstract

Tissue engineering offers promising regenerative alternatives to conventional medical treatments, particularly for tissues with limited self-healing capabilities such as bone and cartilage. Central to this field is three-dimensional (3D) bioprinting, an advanced fabrication technique that utilizes bio-inks to construct complex, patient-specific tissue structures. Among emerging bio-ink materials, nanocellulose and its derivatives have attracted considerable attention for their exceptional mechanical properties, biocompatibility, and biodegradability. Derived from natural cellulose, nanocellulose exists primarily as cellulose nanocrystals (CNCs) and cellulose nanofibers (CNFs), each contributing unique structural and rheological characteristics. CNCs enhance scaffold stiffness and mechanical strength, while CNFs support intricate architectures conducive to cellular infiltration and tissue growth. This review highlights recent advances in nanocellulose-based bio-inks for 3D bioprinting, emphasizing their role in improving printability and scaffold functionality for bone and cartilage tissue engineering applications.

Keywords

Nanocellulose / 3D bioprinting / bio-inks / tissue engineering

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Yiwei Xu, Hanqing Dai, Qianwang Ye, Wanlu Zhang, Na Wang, Lei Xiong, Ruiqian Guo. Nanocellulose-based bio-inks for 3D bioprinting: advances and prospects in bone and cartilage tissue engineering. Soft Science, 2026, 6(1): 7 DOI:10.20517/ss.2025.107