The field of regenerative medicine and soft tissue engineering is experiencing rapid advancements fueled by the integration of biological, chemical, and engineering innovations. Advanced biomaterials, such as hydrogels, bioactive scaffolds, and stimuli-responsive systems, are now essential tools that significantly influence cellular behavior and immune response modulation, ultimately facilitating tissue repair. These innovative materials show significant promise across diverse applications, including peripheral nerve regeneration, pulmonary fibrosis treatment, cardiovascular and myocardial repair, wound healing, and postoperative anti-adhesion, among others. This Research Topic seeks to spotlight the development, characterization, and clinical translation of novel biomaterials tailored to address the complexities inherent in regenerative therapies. Research emphasizing mechanistic insights, interactions between materials and tissues, and translational potentials are particularly encouraged.
Despite the substantial progression in the realm of regenerative medicine, achieving effective soft tissue regeneration poses a daunting clinical challenge, primarily due to the intricacies of tissue microenvironments, enduring inflammation, and the limited integration of implanted materials with host tissues. Current therapeutic approaches often fail to replicate native tissue properties or to support functional regeneration adequately. To address these challenges, next-generation biomaterials must transcend mere biocompatibility and biodegradability, they must also be inherently bioactive, adaptable, and capable of modulating immune responses. Innovations in hydrogels, nanostructured scaffolds, injectable biomaterials, and bio-responsive systems have consequently broadened the possibilities for targeted tissue repair, with advancements in materials science such as smart polymers, 3D bioprinting, and cell-laden constructs revealing promising outcomes in preclinical studies. However, obstacles related to scaling, long-term functionality, and regulatory approval persist.
This Research Topic seeks to convene pioneering research focusing on the development, optimization, or clinical evaluation of advanced biomaterials for regenerative medicine and soft tissue engineering. We welcome articles that explore the nuances of material design, delve into the mechanisms of material-tissue interactions, assess therapeutic applications, and formulate translational strategies to expedite clinical adoption.
To gather further insights in the design, development, and application of advanced biomaterials for regenerative medicine and soft tissue engineering, we welcome articles addressing, but not limited to, the following themes: o Tissue-specific biomaterial strategies o Immunomodulatory and bio-responsive materials o 3D bioprinting and cell-laden scaffolds o Material-cell/tissue interaction mechanisms o Translational and preclinical/clinical studies o Drug delivery system for biomedicine
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
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FAIR² Data
FAIR² DATA Direct Submission
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Methods
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Article types
This Research Topic accepts the following article types, unless otherwise specified in the Research Topic description:
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.
