Chronic wounds remain a major medical challenge, particularly for diabetic patients, who often experience delayed healing, persistent inflammation, and a high risk of infection. Traditional wound closure methods such as sutures, staples, and adhesives help bring the edges of the wound together, but they do not actively respond to the body’s healing process. Therefore, scientists are exploring biomaterials that can adapt to biological environments while promoting tissue repair and preventing infection.
South Korea-based Hanyang University Associate Professor Hyun Do Jeong and his team have developed an artificial intelligence (AI)-guided microneedle patch that actively changes shape at physiological temperatures (37 degrees Celsius) to help close wounds while providing regenerative therapy and antibacterial protection. This research combines AI, 4D printing, biomimicry, DNA nanotechnology, and surface engineering into a single wound healing platform.
This paper was published online and published in the journal March 30, 2026. advanced materials.
The inspiration for this research was Drosera capensiscarnivorous plants that capture prey through coordinated movement, attachment, and protection mechanisms. Taking advantage of these features, the researchers designed a shape-memory microneedle system that can be actively bent after being placed within tissue. Microneedles are manufactured using 4D printing, which allows the structure to change shape in response to environmental stimuli.
The team used machine learning models to predict and optimize the shape recovery behavior of prints, reducing the need for extensive trial-and-error experiments. By analyzing how material composition and manufacturing conditions affect performance, the researchers identified an optimal manufacturing window that balances mechanical stability and rapid shape recovery. Among the machine learning approaches evaluated, Gaussian process regression provided the most accurate predictions and the most reliable uncertainty estimates.
”This research goes beyond traditional biomimicry by using artificial intelligence to translate nature-inspired principles into functional biomedical devices. The key to this research is that it is not only inspired by nature, but that AI can help translate biological inspiration into predictable, programmable, and clinically relevant wound healing technologies.” said Dr. Jung.
Laboratory experiments have shown that microneedles rapidly recover their programmed curved shape at body temperature, helping to close wounds and maintain stable tissue contact. The platform also incorporates adhesive DNA nanoparticles designed to support tissue regeneration and a zinc-treated surface that provides antimicrobial protection. Tests demonstrated sustained DNA release, favorable responses from endothelial cells and fibroblasts involved in wound healing, and strong antimicrobial activity against both. Escherichia coli and Staphylococcus aureus.
In preclinical wound healing experiments, the integrated system promoted wound closure and improved tissue regeneration compared to traditional approaches.
”AI-guided 4D printing strategies have the potential to extend beyond wound healing to soft biomedical robots and tissue interface devices that require programmable motion, controlled shape deformation, and stable contact with living tissue.” said Dr. Jung.
Although further research is required before clinical use, this technology could potentially be applied to smart wound patches, implants, scaffolds, and stents that respond to the body’s environment. In the long term, it may support the development of intelligent biomaterials that improve healing and reduce complications.
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Reference magazines:
Lee, H. Others. (2026). AI-guided 4D printing of carnivorous plants – inspired by microneedles to promote wound healing. advanced materials. DOI: 10.1002/adma.202523665. https://advanced.onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1002/adma.202523665
