Materials and Devices for Drug Delivery and Neuromodulation

Materials and devices for drug delivery and neuromodulation represent a rapidly growing and interdisciplinary field at the interface of materials science, bioengineering, chemistry, and neuroscience. This research area focuses on the development of advanced materials and technologies for controlled drug delivery (for the treatment of several human disorders and conditions, including neurological diseases) and the modulation of neural activity, offering innovative solutions for medical applications, including precision medicine, neuroprosthetics, and therapies for neurological disorders. Current technologies are limited in terms of materials choice, biocompatibility or accurate performances; therefore, research efforts are needed to leverage such systems.

Nowadays, research endeavors on devices for neuromodulation are oriented towards achieving higher-density electrode arrays, three-dimensional device architectures, ultra-high flexibility and conformability, biodegradability and biocompatibility, ease of processing, effective tissue biointegration. In the context of drug delivery systems, research is heading towards multifunctional microdevices based on closed-loop, wireless, feedback-control interfaces coupled with advanced microfluidic infusion probes or drug-loaded polymeric matrixes. In terms of performances, these systems should ideally show ultra-low drug-release flow rates, low electrical power consumption, fast time response and very high spatial and temporal accuracy. The mechanisms for effective drug delivery can vary according to the targeted disease or organ/tissue: they can be based on electrophoretic, piezoelectric, electromagnetic micropumps, mechanical valves, electrochemical actuation, fluidic injection, matrix dissolution, etc. The chemical interactions between the drug solutions and the host tissue are also crucial for the design of the devices, in terms of absorption rates, pharmacokinetics and clearance. Therefore, this Research Topic will help towards understanding the contributions of materials properties, synthesis, device engineering to the effective performances of systems for drug delivery and neuromodulation, which is of paramount importance to develop novel, reliable and efficient medical devices with enhanced electrical and/or pharmacological capabilities.

We welcome Original Research, Review, Mini Review and Perspective articles on themes including, but not limited to:
• Design and synthesis of polymers, hydrogels, and nanomaterials for drug delivery systems (e.g., biodegradable polymers, nanomaterials) and neuromodulation devices (e.g., soft electronics, bioresorbable electrodes)
• Functionalization and chemical modification of materials to achieve tailored drug-release profiles and neuromodulation capabilities
• Advanced manufacturing of implantable devices for neuromodulation
• Green and sustainable materials for medical devices (particularly in medical devices and systems where long-term implantation or bio-integration is required)
• Physical chemistry and chemical physics studies that provide mechanistic understanding of drug release kinetics, material-tissue interactions, and charge transport in bioelectronic devices
• Computational models of chemical processes in drug delivery and neuromodulation systems
• Soft and flexible electronics for neural stimulation and drug delivery
• Systems for controlled and targeted drug release
• Biomaterials and bioelectronics (including organic bioelectronics) interfaced with neural tissues (including wearable and implantable devices)
• Electrochemical biosensors for drug delivery and neuromodulation, ranging from the fundamental characterization of biointerfaces to applications involving implantable devices that degrade safely after performing their therapeutic functions.

Article types and fees

This Research Topic accepts the following article types, unless otherwise specified in the Research Topic description:

• Brief Research Report
• Case Report
• Data Report
• Editorial
• FAIR² Data
• General Commentary
• Hypothesis and Theory
• Methods
• Mini Review
• ... View all formats

Articles that are accepted for publication by our external editors following rigorous peer review incur a publishing fee charged to Authors, institutions, or funders.

Article types

This Research Topic accepts the following article types, unless otherwise specified in the Research Topic description:

• Brief Research Report
• Case Report
• Data Report
• Editorial
• FAIR² Data
• General Commentary
• Hypothesis and Theory
• Methods
• Mini Review
• Opinion
• Original Research
• Perspective
• Policy and Practice Reviews
• Policy Brief
• Review
• Systematic Review
• Technology and Code

Keywords: Drug Delivery, Neuromodulation, Biomaterials, Bioelectronics, Electrochemical sensors

Important note: All contributions to this Research Topic must be within the scope of the section and journal to which they are submitted, as defined in their mission statements. Frontiers reserves the right to guide an out-of-scope manuscript to a more suitable section or journal at any stage of peer review.