Bioengineered Biomaterials for Chronic Wound Healing: Mechanisms, Durability, and Translational Pathways

Chronic wounds, especially diabetic foot ulcers (DFUs), venous leg ulcers, and pressure injuries, remain a major global challenge, often recurring at the same site after apparent healing. These wounds fail to progress through orderly repair due to impaired angiogenesis, abnormal extracellular matrix (ECM) remodeling, and chronic inflammation. Despite advances in bioengineered grafts and biologics, durable closure and functional tissue regeneration remain elusive. Current biologics act primarily as stimulants rather than true wound replacements, leaving a gap between temporary healing and long-term tissue restoration. Biomaterials innovation, spanning scaffolds, hydrogels, and nanofibers, offers new opportunities to rebuild perfused, resilient tissue, yet requires deeper understanding of how design parameters influence biological outcomes and clinical usability.

This Research Topic seeks to connect biomaterials engineering with mechanistic insights into chronic wound repair and recurrence. We aim to highlight studies that reveal how scaffold design, architecture, and biofunctionalization modulate angiogenesis, inosculation, ECM remodeling, and immune-material interactions in diabetic and ischemic environments. A central question is how engineered matrices can restore not only closure but durable tissue integration, preventing re-ulceration. Recognizing the translational barriers identified in clinical practice, such as, cost, handling, and workflow integration, we also welcome innovations in simplified, shelf-stable, and infection-resistant materials. Further, we encourage contributions exploring non-invasive monitoring of wound perfusion, oxygenation, or mechanical properties to assess real-time healing and material performance. By integrating mechanistic, materials, and translational perspectives, this collection aims to accelerate the path from bench to bedside in chronic wound management.

We invite submissions focusing on:

• Design and functionalization of biomaterials and scaffolds that promote angiogenesis, inosculation, and ECM regeneration.
• Comparative mechanisms across diabetic, venous, pressure, and ischemic wounds.
• Novel fabrication methods (e.g., nanofibers, 3D printing, hybrid composites).
• Incorporation of bioactive cues—growth factors, peptides, or cells—for sustained regenerative signaling.
• Durability and recurrence prevention through biomechanical or immunomodulatory strategies.
• Non-invasive or quantitative assessment tools (optical, thermal, or biosensor-based) for monitoring healing progression.
• Translational frameworks that address usability, stability, and cost-effectiveness in real clinical settings.