Advanced Biomaterials: Bridging Diagnostics, Therapeutics, and Regenerative Medicine

Recent advances in biomaterials have driven significant progress in addressing critical challenges in medicine, particularly in the contexts of cancer and infectious diseases. Translating novel materials into clinical solutions depends not only on synthetic ingenuity but also on comprehensive and accurate analysis of their dynamic behavior within complex biological environments. In light of rising infection rates, multidrug resistance, and the demand for more responsive cancer therapies, there is an increasing emphasis on strategies that facilitate nuanced observation and quantification of biomaterial performance in living systems. State-of-the-art methodologies now allow detailed investigation into the distribution, integration, and mechanistic interactions of biomaterials, yet notable gaps remain in our ability to measure and interpret these processes in situ and with clinical relevance.

This Research Topic seeks to compile interdisciplinary contributions that advance the measurement, characterization, and monitoring of biomaterials relevant to cancer and infectious diseases. The goal is to highlight and encourage the use of innovative approaches, such as imaging probes, advanced biosensors, and emerging diagnostic tools, to capture the chemical, morphological, and structural communication between biomaterials and biological systems. We especially welcome studies that deepen our understanding of material-biology interactions, biodistribution, tissue integration, and therapeutic efficacy through robust, quantitative, and mechanobiology-aware techniques. Contributions that connect experimental findings with next-generation methodologies and translational potential are especially valued.

The scope of this Research Topic encompasses original research and reviews focused on the use of advanced imaging and diagnostic approaches to dissect biomaterial behavior in relevant biomedical contexts. We invite articles addressing, but not limited to, the following themes:
- Development and assessment of biomaterial-based imaging agents and activatable probes
- Innovations in biosensor technology for disease detection and therapy monitoring
- Imaging strategies mapping material-tissue interfaces, structural communication, and mechanobiological responses
- Techniques for the in-depth characterization of scaffolds, constructs, and bioartificial organs
- Integration of theranostic and molecular therapeutic approaches with quantitative diagnostic readouts

Article types and fees

This Research Topic accepts the following article types, unless otherwise specified in the Research Topic description:

• Brief Research Report
• Data Report
• Editorial
• FAIR² Data
• General Commentary
• Methods
• Mini Review
• Original Research
• Perspective
• ... 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
• Data Report
• Editorial
• FAIR² Data
• General Commentary
• Methods
• Mini Review
• Original Research
• Perspective
• Review

Keywords: biomaterials, cancer theranostics, antimicrobial nanomaterials, drug delivery systems, imaging-guided therapy, multifunctional nanocomposites, bacterial infection, hybrid composites, photothermal therapy, 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.