Organoid-based tissue engineering for advanced tissue repair and reconstruction

Since the emergence of tissue engineering, this field has revolutionized strategies for tissue repair and regeneration. However, traditional tissue engineering approaches often struggle to fully recapitulate the physiological functions of native tissues, particularly in the regeneration of complex organs, where the precise orchestration of cellular self-organization and multi-scale functional integration remains a formidable challenge. Organoids are three-dimensional microtissues that self-assemble using the intrinsic developmental potential of stem cells or tissue-resident progenitor cells, and can recapitulate the structural complexity and functional heterogeneity of human organs in vitro. Despite its remarkable ability to model tissue-specific microenvironments, the lack of an external scaffold renders the morphology and mechanical properties of organoids difficult to control, limiting their applicability in the reconstruction of load-bearing tissues such as bone and cartilage. The convergence of traditional tissue engineering and organoid technology holds immense promise for advancing the fabrication of physiologically relevant, structurally complex tissues. This review comprehensively examines the critical role of advanced biomaterials in facilitating cellular self-organization, differentiation pathways, and functional maturation. The integration of organoid systems with contemporary tissue engineering is extensively analyzed, encompassing 3D bioprinting, microfluidic technologies, and organ-on-chip systems. Through systematic investigation of organoid-based applications across multiple tissue types, this review examines potential strategies for applying organoid-based tissue engineering to address current limitations in clinical translation, aiming to contribute to the development of improved therapeutic approaches.