Biomaterials in organoid research: current state and future directions
Organoid research has fundamentally reshaped in vitro approaches to modeling disease, drug response, and developmental processes. While the potential is great, the technology is limited by reproducibility and physiological accuracy challenges that arise partly from the shortcomings in extracellular matrix mimicking biomaterials that influence morphogenesis, differentiation, and functionality. In recent years, biomaterials for organoid systems have developed from biologically derived but poorly defined matrices toward tunable, dynamic, and modular systems that allow for precise control and better reproducibility of the microenvironment. This Mini-Review summarizes recent advances, with a focus on the last 3 years, in natural, synthetic, and hybrid biomaterials, highlighting engineered ECM–derived hydrogels, modified natural polymers, and synthetic systems with tunable viscoelasticity, degradability, and bioactive components. Furthermore, emerging trends and technological integrations, comprised of 3D and 4D bioprinting, granular hydrogels, organ-on-a-chip platforms, and AI-driven methods, will be discussed, which together support scalable and data-driven optimizations in organoid research. Summarized, these developments demonstrate the transition from a generic matrix-based culture toward engineered, tunable, and dynamic microenvironments, demonstrating biomaterial design as a fundamental element for next-generation organoid systems.