Electrostatic interactions can be used in the self-assembly of a wide range of responsive, bioinspired soft materials ranging from dehydrated thin films, fibers, and bulk solids to dense, polymer-rich liquid complex coacervates, as well as more complex hierarchical structures such as micelles and hydrogels. This responsiveness can include swelling and dissolution or solidification, which can be harnessed to facilitate encapsulation and the subsequent fabrication of functional materials. We draw inspiration from biomolecular condensates, which utilize liquid-liquid phase separation to create transient compartments in cells.

The convergence of AI and human induced pluripotent stem cell (hiPSC) platforms is redefining in vitro biological models. Advances in hiPSC-derived three-dimensional cardiac organoids, engineered heart tissues, and heart-on-chip systems have improved physiological relevance but generate high-dimensional, multimodal datasets that exceed the capacity of traditional analytical approaches. I will discuss how emerging computational approaches, including machine learning, deep learning, and generative AI, can unlock the full potential of engineered cardiac models.

The innate immune response must coordinate diverse cell populations to eliminate pathogens, heal wounds, and maintain tissue homeostasis. This coordination depends on dynamic communication between immune cells and their surrounding tissue environment, yet even subtle disruptions in these interactions can drive chronic inflammation and contribute to diseases including cancer, cardiovascular disease, fibrosis, and autoimmunity. As immunotherapies continue to transform the treatment of disease, a central challenge remains: understanding how innate immune cells integrate complex environmental cues to execute precise, context-dependent functions.