Ultrasound Interaction with Bubbles, Droplets, Cells, and Hydrogels: Fundamentals, Applications, and Emerging Topics

The field of therapeutic ultrasounds has evolved significantly over the past decades, driven by advances in our understanding of ultrasound-material interactions and their biological implications. Microbubbles and phase-change droplets, initially developed as ultrasound contrast agents, have emerged as multifunctional tools for localized drug delivery, treatment of tissue, and mechanical stimulation at the cellular, sub-cellular levels. In addition, acoustically driven “smart” hydrogels and engineered cell-based systems provide potential platforms for spatiotemporally controlled drug release and regenerative therapies. With these technological advancements, a more complete understanding of the underlying acoustics and the resulting biophysical interactions is essential to drive both the scientific innovation and future clinical translations.

This research topic encompasses advances in the fundamental understanding and therapeutic applications of ultrasound interactions with bubbles, droplets, cells, biological and engineered materials. We will consolidate studies on the fundamental ultrasound principles and how these translate into biological outcomes. We also solicit contributions on how ultrasound can be used to monitor and modulate cellular behavior, gene and drug delivery, and enable tissue regeneration. This collection will highlight innovative strategies and technologies that expand the boundaries of medical ultrasound by integrating theoretical, computational, and experimental approaches. Ultimately, the goal is to disseminate the latest research which may accelerate translation of these concepts into practical biomedical and clinical solutions.

We welcome original research articles and reviews/mini reviews that cover relevant topics at this interface area of medicine and acoustics including the following:

1. Mechanistic and biological advances in the ultrasound interaction with micro- and nanoscale bubbles and droplets
2. Ultrasound-mediated modulation of cellular behavior, including immune therapy, mechanotransduction, gene transfection, and targeted drug delivery
3. Ultrasound biotechnological platforms and devices, such as smart hydrogel systems, tissue engineering, microfluidics, and cell sorting and separation technologies
4. Emerging nanotechnology applications, including but not limited to nanoscale bubbles and droplets, high-frequency ultrasound, and interactions with cellular membranes
5. Advances in imaging, monitoring, and feedback-control techniques for ultrasound-mediated therapies

In this special issue, we encourage a wide range of theoretical, computational, and experimental submissions, with particular emphasis on new and emerging areas. These contributions should aim to extend the boundaries of medical ultrasound and foster next-generation biomedical technologies.

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
• Classification
• Clinical Trial
• Data Report
• Editorial
• FAIR² Data
• FAIR² DATA Direct Submission
• General Commentary
• ... 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
• Classification
• Clinical Trial
• 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
• Study Protocol
• Systematic Review
• Technology and Code

Keywords: Ultrasound, Microbubbles, Droplets, Cells, Hydrogels, Acoustic, Cavitation, Ultrasound-mediated drug delivery, Theranostics, Tissue engineering, Biomedical imaging, Bioeffects, Translational medicine, Microfluidics, Contrast agents

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.