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4D-REVIVE, my project funded by the Italian Science Fund (FIS)–Italy’s counterpart to the European Research Council (ERC)–addresses this unmet need with a radically new approach: a shape-adaptive cardiac patch that helps revive dormant cardiomyocytes, regenerate heart tissue, and mitigate arrhythmia. The project was awarded a competitive grant of 1.3 Million euros, supporting its multidisciplinary effort over the next several years.

While there have been promising efforts targeting specific aspects–cell therapy, tissue regeneration, or conductive scaffolds–most have been pursued in isolation. Instead, I propose an integrated solution that unites stem cell biology, protein delivery, and smart materials engineering into a single multifunctional platform.

At the heart of this innovation–both figuratively and literally–are shape-memory metallic glasses (MGs). Unlike oxide glasses, which form with relative ease, metallic glasses are notoriously difficult to design. Their development is limited by a fundamental interplay between thermodynamic stability and kinetic feasibility. Thermodynamically favored MGs require very specific alloy chemistries with high glass-forming ability (GFA), making it difficult to control functional properties. On the other hand, kinetic approaches relying on ultrafast cooling can create MGs from a broader range of compositions–but only in the form of thin ribbons or films, which are unsuitable for three-dimensional biomedical architectures.

To overcome this longstanding limitation, I developed a new technique that enables the formation of metallic glass microfibers from a wide range of compositions, including moderate glass formers. The MGs I am developing go a step further: they are engineered as nanoscale fibers with shape-memory behavior, allowing them to mimic artificial muscle movements and dynamically support the heart’s mechanical function.

Even more critically, these MG microfibers address one of the most persistent challenges in cardiac regeneration: the alignment and maturation of iPSC-derived cardiomyocytes. These lab-grown cells hold promise for rebuilding damaged heart tissue, but their therapeutic potential depends on achieving both proper orientation and synchronized electrical activity. The MGs I use act as directional and conductive scaffolds, guiding iPSC-CM alignment, promoting their differentiation, and restoring tissue function. Combined with a custom-engineered hydrogel capable of delivering regenerative proteins like FSTL1 and conforming to the heart’s architecture, the resulting cardiac patch is designed for minimally invasive implantation and long-term functional integration.

If successful, this work could pave the way for a new class of intelligent, adaptable implants that unite electrical function, regenerative biology, and real mechanical support. More broadly, it would mark the debut of metallic glasses as a transformative platform in soft tissue engineering—one that bridges the gap between smart materials and living systems.

Dr. Elham Sharifikolouei
Department of Health Sciences
University of Eastern Piedmont (UPO)
Novara, Italy
email: elham.sharifikolouei@uniupo.it