Chronic wounds represent a significant and complex challenge in the field of healthcare, affecting millions of individuals worldwide. These wounds, which fail to proceed through the normal stages of healing, often persist for extended periods, leading to considerable morbidity and reduced quality of life for patients. The prevalence of chronic wounds is on the rise, driven by an aging population, increasing rates of diabetes, obesity, and other comorbidities that impair the healing process. As such, chronic wounds are not only a clinical concern but also a growing burden on healthcare systems.
Chronic wounds can be classified into several categories, including diabetic foot ulcers, venous leg ulcers, pressure ulcers, and arterial ulcers. Each type has distinct underlying mechanisms and risk factors that contribute to its development and persistence. For instance, diabetic foot ulcers often stem from neuropathy and ischemia associated with diabetes, while venous leg ulcers are primarily caused by venous insufficiency. Pressure ulcers, commonly seen in individuals with limited mobility, arise from sustained pressure on the skin, leading to tissue ischemia and necrosis.
Existing wound dressings often fail to meet the necessary criteria for effective healing, highlighting the need for multifunctional biomaterials that can simultaneously address infection, enhance angiogenic signaling, and support tissue repair. Recent advancements in smart biomaterials and the controlled release of therapeutic agents show promise in overcoming these challenges, suggesting that tailored hydrogels can significantly improve healing outcomes by regulating inflammation, promoting angiogenesis, and accelerating tissue regeneration.
The goal of this Research Topic is to publish research articles in full length, short communications, review articles, and opinions covering the latest studies and new concepts on multifunctional hydrogels for the application in regenerative medicine. We welcome submissions in the following themes, but not limited to:
- Design, synthesis, and characterization of multifunctional hydrogels, - Wound dressings with encapsulated nanoparticles, - 3D hydrogel systems containing stem cells, - Bioengineered skin grafts, - Extracellular matrix-based approaches, - Stimuli-responsive biopolymer hydrogels and composites for wound healing applications, - 3D/4D (bio)printed scaffolds for use in wound healing, - Bioactive hydrogels with controlled release of bioactive agents, including growth factors, platelet activating agents, angiogenic factors, miRNA), - Functionalized hydrogels containing small extra-cellular vesicles (EVs) exhibiting pro-healing and anti-scarring properties, - In vitro assays to evaluate the antibacterial properties of the hydrogels, - In vivo wound healing models to test hydrogels.
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This Research Topic accepts the following article types, unless otherwise specified in the Research Topic description:
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Article types
This Research Topic accepts the following article types, unless otherwise specified in the Research Topic description:
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