Functional colloidal nanostructures and composite responsive biomaterials have revolutionized the field of drug delivery, facilitating the development of targeted, efficient, and customizable therapeutic solutions. Traditionally, colloidal systems such as liposomes, micelles, dendrimers, as well as cyclodextrin inclusion complexes and inorganic nanoparticles have addressed challenges of poor solubility, stability, and limited targeting of classical drug formulations. In parallel, the emergence of composite and responsive biomaterials -multiphase systems integrating biopolymers, ceramics, hydrogels and bioactive molecules- has enabled the creation of drug delivery platforms with synergistic advantages in biocompatibility, mechanical strength, and controlled release within a biomimetic microenvironment. Recent research has focused on engineering hybrid nano- and microscale composites that combine the dynamic properties of colloidal carriers with the structural and biological functionalities of advanced biomaterial scaffolds. However, the integration of these technologies introduces complex questions regarding the interaction of components, optimization of drug loading and release, and the translation of laboratory findings into clinically viable therapies.
While much progress has been achieved in the field, this progress also opens new interdisciplinary frontiers that demand further exploration. Recent studies have demonstrated that colloidal composites and cutting-edge nanocarriers can enhance drug encapsulation efficiency, modulate release profiles, and improve tissue targeting, but challenges in material design, characterization, and scale-up remain. Ongoing debates center on harmonizing bioactivity with safety, overcoming physiological barriers, and tailoring material properties to specific clinical needs. There is also an increasing interest in data-driven approaches and predictive modeling to accelerate material selection and performance optimization. Despite these advancements, the translation from bench to bedside is often hampered by regulatory complexities and a lack of standardized evaluation protocols.
This Research Topic aims to trace the evolution of functional colloidal nanostructures and composite responsive biomaterials, emphasizing their synergistic role in advancing modern drug delivery systems. By examining advances in material synthesis, functionalization, and application, this collection seeks to provide an in-depth overview of how these innovations shape current and emerging pharmaceutical technologies. Special consideration is given to the intersection of nanocarrier technology and composite biomaterials in applications such as theranostics, personalized medicine, tissue engineering and regenerative therapies. Ultimately, the goal is to foster an exchange of ideas that clarifies critical milestones, evaluates present challenges, and identifies future directions for research and clinical translation of these advanced drug delivery systems.
To gather further insights in the synergistic application of functional colloidal nanostructures and composite responsive biomaterials for drug delivery, we welcome articles addressing, but not limited to, the following themes:
- Evolutionary trends and milestones in colloidal nanocarriers and composite responsive biomaterials for drug delivery
- Innovations in the design and synthesis of hybrid colloidal-composite systems, including supercritical CO₂ processes, phase-inversion technique, electrospinning, 3D bioprinting, surface functionalization
- Applications of nanocarriers and composite biomaterials in theranostics, tissue engineering, and personalized medicine
- Experimental and clinical case studies highlighting the integration of colloidal and composite strategies in drug delivery
- Challenges and prospects in scaling up multifunctional drug delivery platforms
- Data-driven modeling, machine learning, and predictive analytics for optimizing composite and colloidal materials in pharmaceuticals.
Article types and fees
This Research Topic accepts the following article types, unless otherwise specified in the Research Topic description:
- Editorial
- FAIR² Data
- Mini Review
- Original Research
- Perspective
- Review
Articles that are accepted for publication by our external editors following rigorous peer review incur a publishing fee charged to Authors, institutions, or funders.
Keywords: colloidal nanostructures, drug delivery systems, theranostics, nanocarriers, composite biomaterials, tissue engineering, regenerative therapies, personalized medicine
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.
