Exploring Imaging Strategies in 3D Fabricated Biomedical Constructs

Harnessing 3D printing technologies in the biomedical field marks a transformative shift in modern healthcare delivery and personalized medicine strategies. These 3D fabrication advancements have catalyzed significant enhancements in providing patient-tailored therapies across various domains such as tissue engineering, cell therapies, drug delivery systems, and the crafting of customized medical devices and prosthetics. However, the full potential of 3D fabrication methodologies can only be achieved through integrated efforts involving multi-disciplinary collaboration among chemists, biologists, physicists, clinicians, the industrial sector, and regulatory authorities. This Research Topic aims to cultivate such multidisciplinary collaborations to push the bounds of research and innovation, ultimately reshaping the future landscape of biomedical science and patient-directed care.

One critical aspect of leveraging 3D fabricated constructs in biomedicine lies in the non-destructive monitoring of these materials once deployed in a living body. Traditionally, insights into biomaterials' biodegradation are garnered through ex vivo analyses using animal models, which are inherently destructive and provide limited real-time degradation data, posing significant translational challenges to clinical applications. Biomedical imaging emerges as a promising avenue to overcome these limitations. It provides a non-invasive way to assess biodistribution, pharmacokinetics, and pharmacodynamics of administered materials. Although various imaging techniques have been applied in drug delivery investigations, there remains a dearth of exploration in directly imaging 3D printed biomedical constructs. Addressing this gap through advanced diagnostic tools is crucial for the clinical adaptation and success of these constructs.

This Research Topic focuses on innovative imaging strategies for 3D fabricated constructs to enhance their application and understanding in clinical contexts. We invite contributions that explore a range of imaging techniques, offering insights into the non-destructive monitoring of these advanced materials in vivo. Specific themes we seek to include are, but not limited to:
o Optical imaging techniques
o Radioimaging methods
o Magnetic resonance imaging advancements
o Ultrasound imaging applications
o Multimodal imaging approaches to enable non-destructive monitoring of materials in vivo

We aim to compile groundbreaking research and reviews that shed light on these imaging strategies, facilitating the clinical translation of 3D fabricated constructs for improved health outcomes.

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
• FAIR² DATA Direct Submission
• General Commentary
• Hypothesis and Theory
• Methods
• ... 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
• FAIR² DATA Direct Submission
• 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: molecular imaging, cellular imaging, multimodal imaging, scaffolds, hydrogels, 3D printing, Additive manufacturing

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.