The field of functional biomaterials is at the forefront of biomedical research, underpinning progress in tissue engineering and regenerative medicine. Traditional biomaterials were primarily valued as inert, structural supports, but advances in material science have revolutionized the landscape, introducing sophisticated systems that interact closely with the biological milieu. Today’s bioactive and highly engineered biomaterials can stimulate cellular behavior, respond to environmental cues, and actively shape tissue healing processes. Recent evidence highlights the importance of immunomodulation as a central mechanism in biomaterial science, shifting attention toward the intricate dialogue between implanted materials and the host immune system. Notably, significant studies demonstrate that the composition, origin, and physicochemical properties of biomaterials critically determine immune responses, from acute inflammation to tissue repair. However, despite breakthroughs in stimuli-responsive, piezoelectric, and other “smart” biomaterials, further research is needed to unravel the complexities of immune-biomaterial interactions, specifically how material properties drive macrophage behavior and orchestrate regenerative outcomes in vivo.
This Research Topic aims to advance the understanding of novel immunomodulatory biomaterials, along with the modulation of molecular-level pathways using a multimodal approach. Central questions include macrophage polarization through the biomaterial and its direct application as an anti-inflammatory effect in various inflammatory diseases. In addition, another question is to uncover novel materials such as piezoelectric, triboelectric, photoacoustic, and magnetic materials and their roles in tissue remodeling
We welcome manuscripts focusing on, but not limited to, the following sub-topics:
• Stimuli responsive biomaterial
• Immunomodulatory biomaterial for cancer, skeletal system, soft tissue repair and regeneration
• Nano formulation
• Drug and drug delivery
• Organ on the chip and testing using biomaterial
• Granular hydrogels and immunomodulatory modular biomaterials
• 3D/4D printing approaches to engineer immune responsive scaffolds
• Piezo electric and mechanoresponsive materials for modulating immune response
• Injectable biomaterials for modulating immune response
• Bioinspired and biomimetic materials
Article types and fees
This Research Topic accepts the following article types, unless otherwise specified in the Research Topic description:
Case Report
Classification
Clinical Trial
Editorial
FAIR² Data
FAIR² DATA Direct Submission
General Commentary
Hypothesis and Theory
Methods
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:
Case Report
Classification
Clinical Trial
Editorial
FAIR² Data
FAIR² DATA Direct Submission
General Commentary
Hypothesis and Theory
Methods
Mini Review
Opinion
Original Research
Perspective
Review
Systematic Review
Technology and Code
Keywords: Macrophage polarization, stimuli-responsive biomaterial, immunomodulatory biomaterial, CAR-T, piezoelectric biomaterial, 3D printing, Bioinspired and biomimetic materials, Nano formulation, cancer therapy, functional biomaterial, immunomodulation, organ on the chip, tissue regeneration
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.
