Biomaterials Science Emerging Investigators themed issue

It is with great pleasure that we introduce the inaugural Emerging Investigators themed issue of Biomaterials Science, dedicated to showcasing some of the exceptional work being carried out by up- and-coming biomaterials scientists.

Members of the Biomaterials Science Editorial and Advisory Boards were asked for suggestions of outstanding researchers who, despite being within the first few years of their independent careers, are already having a substantial impact in the biomaterials field. The result is this impressive issue, containing papers and review-type articles that explore new chemistries and technologies for developing biomaterials with applications ranging from drug delivery and tissue engineering to blood purification and cancer therapy. Some authors look to the natural world for inspiration; marine snail egg cases are studied as models for new biomaterials and the uses of smart hydrogels as biomimetic materials are reviewed.

We aim for this issue to be a celebration of the hugely exciting and important work that is happening internationally in the field, and a valuable insight into the future of biomaterials science. We hope that it will inspire and encourage new generations of biomaterials scientists, who are Emerging Investigators in the making.

We have very much enjoyed putting together this Emerging Investigators themed issue, and would like to thank the other members of the Editorial and Advisory Boards for their expert advice in suggesting contributors. To the featured authors, we extend our thanks and congratulations for their contributions to the biomaterials field, and for the high quality of the papers presented in this issue.

Professor Phillip Messersmith, Editor-in-Chief

Professor Norio Nakatsuji, Editor-in-Chief

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