Biohydrogel-Based Biomaterials for Next-Generation Tissue Repair

Recent years have witnessed extraordinary progress in tissue repair, driven primarily by innovations in biomaterial design and biofabrication. In particular, extracellular matrix (ECM)-mimicking biomaterials, especially bio-hydrogels, have emerged as central platforms to recreate key biophysical and biochemical cues for regeneration. Meanwhile, smart and responsive materials (e.g., stimuli-sensitive and self-healing systems) and micro-/nano-structuring strategies are enabling more precise control over cell behavior and tissue remodeling. In parallel, selected advances in biotechnology, such as gene, and cell-based engineering and pharmaceutical biotechnology, are increasingly being integrated into biomaterial systems, supporting the rational design of functional scaffolds and delivery matrices for tissue repair.

Despite these advances, effective regeneration remains limited by the difficulty of engineering tissue-specific microenvironments and translating biomaterial systems into robust, reproducible constructs. Key challenges include achieving spatiotemporal control over biological signals, building clinically relevant architectures and developing hydrogel-based carriers that can reliably deliver seed cells (including engineered cells) or therapeutic agents. This Research Topic therefore focuses on next-generation biomaterials that combine smart material functions with advanced manufacturing and delivery strategies to improve preclinical performance and translational potential in tissue repair.

The scope of this Research Topic encompasses original research and critical reviews that explore the frontier of integrative approaches in biomaterials and biotechnology for tissue repair especially in bio-hydrogel area. Submissions may address, but are not limited to, the following areas:
o Organ-specific regeneration with biomaterials tailored for tissue repair such as bone, nerves and skin
o Design and application of biomaterials especially in bio-hydrogels for delivering seed cells (integrated gene editing and cell technologies) or novel drugs (pharmaceutical biotechnologies)
o Advances in biomaterials include smart and responsive hydrogels, nanomaterials and self-healing polymers
o Progress in the mechanism of biomaterials repairing tissue damage
Appendix: Accepted manuscript types include original articles reporting novel biomaterial designs, mechanistic insights, or preclinical validations, as well as reviews synthesizing key trends and progress at the intersection of biomaterials, biotechnology, and tissue repair.