| Fully simulating the components ａnd microstructures of soft tissue is a challenge for its functional regeneration. A new aligned hydrogel microfiber scaffold for spinal cord regeneration is constructed with photocrosslinked gelatin methacryloyl (GelMA) ａnd electrospinning technology . The directional porous hydrogel fibrous scaffold consistent with nerve axons is vital to guide cell migration ａnd axon extension. The GelMA hydrogel electrospun fibers soak up water more than six times their weight, with a lower Young ’ s modulus, providing a favorable survival ａnd metabolic environment for neuronal cells. GelMA fibers further demonstrate higher antinestin, anti - Tuj - 1, antisynaptophysin, ａnd anti - CD31 gene expression in neural stem cells, neuronal cells, synapses, ａnd vascular endothelial cells, respectively . In contrast, anti - GFAP ａnd anti - CS56 labeled astrocytes ａnd glial scars of GelMA fibers are shown to be present in a lesser extent compared with gelatin fibers. The soft bionic scaffold constructed with electrospun GelMA hydrogel fibers not only facilitates the migration of neural stem cells ａnd induces their differentiation into neuronal cells, but also inhibits the glial scar formation ａnd promotes angiogenesis. Moreover, the scaf
fold with a high degree of elasticity can resist deformation without the protec
tion of a bony spinal canal. The bioinspired aligned hydrogel microfiber proves to be efficient ａnd versatile in triggering functional regeneration of the spinal cord. DOI: 10.1002/adfm.201806899 to be more prone to favor the reconstruc
tion of damaged tissues, as well as the restoration of corresponding functionality . Yet, significant challenges still remain on the regenerative engineering of certain intricate tissue - based architectures. As a component of the central nervous system (CNS), spinal cord not only plays a crucial role in the maintenance of vital signs, but also preserves the proper functioning of motion ａnd sensory system. Hence, injury of this delicate cord could significantly compromise the general health condition of patients, inevitably leading to consid
erable social - economic burdens.[4] Unfor
tunately, although numerous attempts have been made to reconstruct the injured spinal cord, ideal outcome was still out of reach. Intrinsically poor regenerative capacity of the spinal cord, along with its complex innate structure, were believed to be responsible for the dilemma.[5] Soaked in cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) ａnd protected by the bony structure of the spinal canal, the spinal cord consists of numerous ascending ａnd descending nerve conduction bundles reached out from highly differentiated neurons, which act as the signal connection between the different segments of this structure and the brain.[3] Based on the physiological ａnd anatomical characteristics of the spinal cord, the corresponding biological 
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