Extracellular vesicles (EVs) are emerging as biocompatible carriers for targeted drug delivery, yet challenges in yield, cargo loading and biodistribution persist. In this Review, key trends from over...

Nature Reviews Bioengineering, Published online: 05 February 2026; doi:10.1038/s44222-026-00405-xExtracellular vesicles (EVs) are emerging as biocompatible carriers for targeted drug delivery, yet challenges in yield, cargo loading and biodistribution persist. In this Review, key trends from over a decade of research are analysed, comparing EVs with lipid-based systems and outlining strategies for improving therapeutic translation and reporting standards.

Nature Reviews Bioengineering, Published online: 05 February 2026; doi:10.1038/s44222-026-00405-xExtracellular vesicles (EVs) are emerging as biocompatible carriers for targeted drug delivery, yet challenges in yield, cargo loading and biodistribution persist. In this Review, key trends from over a decade of research are analysed, comparing EVs with lipid-based systems and outlining strategies for improving therapeutic translation and reporting standards.

Nature Reviews Bioengineering, Published online: 02 February 2026; doi:10.1038/s44222-026-00401-1Lipid nanoparticles can serve as carriers for RNA therapies, enabling efficient encapsulation, cellular uptake and controlled protein expression. This Review explores their design principles, key components, physicochemical properties and therapeutic potential, highlighting how formulation parameters influence delivery performance.

Nature Reviews Bioengineering, Published online: 02 February 2026; doi:10.1038/s44222-026-00401-1Lipid nanoparticles can serve as carriers for RNA therapies, enabling efficient encapsulation, cellular uptake and controlled protein expression. This Review explores their design principles, key components, physicochemical properties and therapeutic potential, highlighting how formulation parameters influence delivery performance.

Nature Reviews Bioengineering, Published online: 29 January 2026; doi:10.1038/s44222-026-00407-9Immune interactions are complex, dynamic and difficult to capture using static imaging modalities on in vitro or ex vivo tissue cultures. In this Review, the authors discuss techniques for in vivo imaging of the immune system including one-photon near-infrared II fluorescence and two-photon and multiphoton microscopy for longitudinal tracking of immune cells, as well as a translational path that integrates near-infrared II, positron-emission tomography or MRI and artificial intelligence-enabled analysis towards quantitative, clinically compatible, multimodal immuno-imaging.

Nature Reviews Bioengineering, Published online: 29 January 2026; doi:10.1038/s44222-026-00407-9Immune interactions are complex, dynamic and difficult to capture using static imaging modalities on in vitro or ex vivo tissue cultures. In this Review, the authors discuss techniques for in vivo imaging of the immune system including one-photon near-infrared II fluorescence and two-photon and multiphoton microscopy for longitudinal tracking of immune cells, as well as a translational path that integrates near-infrared II, positron-emission tomography or MRI and artificial intelligence-enabled analysis towards quantitative, clinically compatible, multimodal immuno-imaging.

Nature Reviews Bioengineering, Published online: 26 January 2026; doi:10.1038/s44222-026-00409-7Placental organoids offer powerful tools to advance diagnostics and therapies for pregnancy complications including preeclampsia and fetal growth restriction. However, most current models rely on animal-derived materials and heterogenous cell sources. Developing human-based physiologically relevant organoid models is essential to understand disease phenotypes and improve clinical care for high-risk pregnancies.

Nature Reviews Bioengineering, Published online: 26 January 2026; doi:10.1038/s44222-026-00409-7Placental organoids offer powerful tools to advance diagnostics and therapies for pregnancy complications including preeclampsia and fetal growth restriction. However, most current models rely on animal-derived materials and heterogenous cell sources. Developing human-based physiologically relevant organoid models is essential to understand disease phenotypes and improve clinical care for high-risk pregnancies.

Nature Reviews Bioengineering, Published online: 23 January 2026; doi:10.1038/s44222-026-00403-zSurgeons depend on a finely tuned multisensory system, in which vision and kinaesthesia work in synergy to manipulate tissue with precision. Translating this to robotic systems requires a hierarchical framework of artificial kinaesthesia, progressing from physical sensing to algorithmic understanding, and finally, to synergistic control.

Nature Reviews Bioengineering, Published online: 23 January 2026; doi:10.1038/s44222-026-00403-zSurgeons depend on a finely tuned multisensory system, in which vision and kinaesthesia work in synergy to manipulate tissue with precision. Translating this to robotic systems requires a hierarchical framework of artificial kinaesthesia, progressing from physical sensing to algorithmic understanding, and finally, to synergistic control.

Nature Reviews Bioengineering, Published online: 21 January 2026; doi:10.1038/s44222-026-00402-0Four-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.

Nature Reviews Bioengineering, Published online: 20 January 2026; doi:10.1038/s44222-026-00406-wWhen soft tissue is mechanically deformed, new material properties and functionalities can emerge. Through rational design of dynamic covalent chemistry and network architecture, new force-catalysed activities in hydrogels can be achieved, forming the basis of a ‘mechanochemical toolbox’ to expand the functionality of soft synthetic biomaterials.

Nature Reviews Bioengineering, Published online: 21 January 2026; doi:10.1038/s44222-026-00402-0Four-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.

Nature Reviews Bioengineering, Published online: 20 January 2026; doi:10.1038/s44222-026-00406-wWhen soft tissue is mechanically deformed, new material properties and functionalities can emerge. Through rational design of dynamic covalent chemistry and network architecture, new force-catalysed activities in hydrogels can be achieved, forming the basis of a ‘mechanochemical toolbox’ to expand the functionality of soft synthetic biomaterials.

Nature Reviews Bioengineering, Published online: 16 January 2026; doi:10.1038/s44222-026-00408-8A bioresorbable, light-activated polymer, integrated with a 3D-printed chamber, enables atraumatic and sutureless peripheral nerve repair. Translating this material platform from concept to clinical reality required iterative design, scalable manufacturing, multidisciplinary collaboration and long-term vision for a versatile surgical technology.

Nature Reviews Bioengineering, Published online: 16 January 2026; doi:10.1038/s44222-026-00408-8A bioresorbable, light-activated polymer, integrated with a 3D-printed chamber, enables atraumatic and sutureless peripheral nerve repair. Translating this material platform from concept to clinical reality required iterative design, scalable manufacturing, multidisciplinary collaboration and long-term vision for a versatile surgical technology.

Nature Reviews Bioengineering, Published online: 15 January 2026; doi:10.1038/s44222-025-00398-zAs artificial intelligence enters the scientific arena, it not only compels us to rethink the scientific method but also opens the door to reimagine long-standing practices.

Nature Reviews Bioengineering, Published online: 15 January 2026; doi:10.1038/s44222-025-00398-zAs artificial intelligence enters the scientific arena, it not only compels us to rethink the scientific method but also opens the door to reimagine long-standing practices.

Nature Reviews Bioengineering, Published online: 12 January 2026; doi:10.1038/s44222-026-00404-yPrecision health is based on multimodal, personal data from individuals. However, regulatory frameworks typically require collecting only what is strictly necessary, a standard that is difficult to define in biomedicine. Here we explore how data minimization can be embedded into precision health, turning privacy from a limitation into a guiding design principle for data collection, storage and governance.

Nature Reviews Bioengineering, Published online: 12 January 2026; doi:10.1038/s44222-026-00404-yPrecision health is based on multimodal, personal data from individuals. However, regulatory frameworks typically require collecting only what is strictly necessary, a standard that is difficult to define in biomedicine. Here we explore how data minimization can be embedded into precision health, turning privacy from a limitation into a guiding design principle for data collection, storage and governance.

Nature Reviews Bioengineering, Published online: 09 January 2026; doi:10.1038/s44222-025-00387-2mRNA technologies offer potential solutions for HIV-1 vaccine development by enabling rapid, safe and modular antigen design that can initiate rare antibody lineages required for broad protection. In this Review, we discuss preclinical and early clinical evidence, outline remaining challenges — particularly breadth and durability — and discuss delivery and manufacturing advances that may help translate these approaches into effective preventive and therapeutic strategies.

Nature Reviews Bioengineering, Published online: 09 January 2026; doi:10.1038/s44222-025-00387-2mRNA technologies offer potential solutions for HIV-1 vaccine development by enabling rapid, safe and modular antigen design that can initiate rare antibody lineages required for broad protection. In this Review, we discuss preclinical and early clinical evidence, outline remaining challenges — particularly breadth and durability — and discuss delivery and manufacturing advances that may help translate these approaches into effective preventive and therapeutic strategies.

Nature Reviews Bioengineering, Published online: 08 January 2026; doi:10.1038/s44222-025-00384-5Organoids offer physiologically relevant 3D models, yet translating them into clinical and industrial use requires robust analytical platforms. In this Review, key strategies for characterizing electrophysiological, biophysical and optical properties are discussed, alongside the integration of omics and computational technologies to decode organoid function and behaviour.