Themed collection Biomaterials Science Open Access Spotlight

This review highlights emerging strategies for lung-targeted mRNA delivery using non-viral vehicles, describing advances in bioinspired design and nanoparticle engineering.

This review introduces magnetic-based tissue engineering (MagTE) as an integrative approach that combines cell manipulation, remote stimulation, and maturation to streamline biofabrication and advance clinically relevant tissue constructs.

Traumatic brain injury (TBI) disrupts neural pathways, leading to sensory, motor, and autonomic dysfunctions, with no fully restorative therapies currently available.

This review revisits key properties of the extracellular matrix to be replicated in hydrogels for 3D cell culture and summarizes the interplay between hydrogel structural and mechanical properties, as well as their combined impact on cell function.

Lipid adjuvants act as a fundamental element in mRNA vaccine technology by performing as diverse functional parts: augmenting immune responses, assisting genetic payload delivery to target cells, and optimizing antigen presentation.

Extracellular matrix mimicking bilayer wound dressings, combining hydrogels and electrospun nanofibers, offer a biomimetic approach for moisture retention, antibacterial activity, and pro-healing features for enhanced skin regeneration.

This review presents a multifaceted overview of how the biomanufacturing context including culture vessels, media, engineered surfaces, and workflows impact monocyte-derived dendritic cells for clinical applications.

This figure illustrates the role of electrical signals in load-bearing soft tissues. Leveraging conductive or piezoelectric biomaterials, the application of tissue engineering techniques for damage repair is explored (created with BioRender).

(a) Two primary mechanisms for cross-presentation of internalized antigens: cytosolic and vacuolar pathways. (b) To enhance antigen presentation and generate T cell responses, glycans are multivalently presented on a range of nanocarrier systems.

The potential of nanomaterials and nanocarriers to improve melatonin’s neurotherapeutic efficacy and targeted central nervous system delivery is highlighted in this review, which examines the intersection of melatonin research and nanomedicine.

Versatile graphene oxide nanomaterials enable tumor microenvironment (TME) modulation and TME-responsive drug delivery for combinative cancer therapy.

Optimizing the physicochemical properties of engineered bone implants enhances osseointegration and promotes bone regeneration by regulating the local immune responses.

This review discusses recent progress in inorganic nanomaterials that respond to ultrasound to generate reactive oxygen species (ROS) for antimicrobial applications, with the aim of inspiring the design of future novel antimicrobial agents.

This review provides a comprehensive overview of the advancements in the use of polydopamine-based materials for colorimetric and fluorescence-based biosensing.

Cartilage tissue engineering combines biomaterials, cells, and bioactive factors to create stable, functional neotissue. Scaffold-biomolecule interactions can be tuned to optimize tissue regeneration.

This review summarizes naïve extracellular vesicles (EVs) in clinical trials for central nervous system (CNS) diseases and updates recent translational preclinical research on EV-loaded drugs or genes for CNS treatments.

Biomaterial-based strategies, including ECM coatings and functionalized polymers, enable efficient expansion of primary human corneal endothelial cells, addressing donor shortages and advancing cell therapy for corneal transplantation.

In this work, a polydopamine-coated, camptothecin nanotube functionalized with a targeting anti-TAG-72 scFv exhibited enhanced cytotoxicity against TAG-72 positive, LS-174T colon cancer cells, compared with HT-29 cells negative for the antigen.

The influence of a pre-adsorbed human plasma protein corona on the exocytosis of silica nanoparticles (SiNP) is reported. SiNPs with a pre-adsorbed protein corona are exocytosed rapidly depending also on the composition of the adsorbed proteins.

A tissue-engineered arteriole model in a collagen I matrix with monolayers of smooth muscle cells and endothelial cells shows barrier function, pulsatile contraction/dilation, and cytokine-induced immune cell and platelet adhesion.

Molecular design and chemical structures of cationic D–A–D-type NIR-II dyes, along with a schematic illustration of their encapsulation by mPEG-Hyd-DSPE and subsequent biomedical applications.

Antiferromagnetic disk particles with optimized anisotropy achieve near-maximal heating efficiency under safe alternating magnetic field exposure, surpassing iron oxide nanoparticles and advancing magnetic hyperthermia therapy.

Activation of hepatic stellate cells (HSCs) is a key driver of fibrogenesis, while perisinusoidal collagen I deposition establishes biophysical barriers that impede therapeutic delivery.

CD36-binding aptamer isolated monocytes from peripheral blood mononuclear cells with high purity and yield, minimizing manufacturing costs, activation risks, and immunogenic concerns compared to CD14 antibody.

Red-emitting carbon dot–alginate–aptamer systems afforded the targeted detection and bioimaging of triple-negative breast cancer cells.

Short-peptide based supramolecular nanocomposite hydrogels containing gold and silver nanoparticles rapidly eliminate drug-resistant bacteria and fungi, effectively disrupting polymicrobial biofilms.

We have developed a tannic acid-containing tough hydrogel (TA-Gel) that can function as an adaptive and antibacterial surgical sealant responsive to anastomotic leaks.

Schematic illustration of platelet lysate incorporation, evaluated both within in vitro fibrin gels and in vivo microfracture clots.

PolySTAT crosslinks fibrin to strengthen clots and improve force transmission, increasing the rate and magnitude of platelet-driven contraction and enhancing clot stability in human blood.

PLGA oxygen nanobubbles were formulated for retinal hypoxia reversal, and ocular safety was ascertained in a rabbit model, indicating promise as an adjuvant in the mitigation of ischemic retinal diseases.

Multifunctional composite coatings combining antibiotics and growth factors for bone tissue regeneration.

Alveolospheres derived from AT2 cells in 3D hydrogels enabled the development of a vascularized alveoli-on-chip model, which was applied to study pulmonary responses to chemical exposure.

Mannosylated peptide nanofibers (Man-PA) integrated with the MUC1 TnThr mimetic Tn-MIM stimulate DCs’ maturation-differentiation, inducing lymphocyte, iNKT and NK cell recruitment and directing the immune response towards the Th1 phenotype.

Gelatin methacryloyl (GelMA) granular hydrogel scaffolds (GHS) enhance cell infiltration, modulate inflammation, and improve the quality of skin tissue repair. These findings highlight the therapeutic potential of GelMA GHS for wound healing.

A novel rat model demonstrates that osseointegrated titanium implants subjected to a single traumatic overload can fully re-osseointegrate under healthy conditions, restoring biomechanical stability without lasting effects on peri-implant bone.

A densely pyrene-modified protein nanocage enables aqueous dispersion of the solvatochromic dye Nile Red. On paper, the solution exhibits a reversible blue–purple color shift upon heating and cooling, reflecting changes in local water content.

Soft tissue-mimicking hydrogel stiffness directs macrophage polarisation: soft gels (~0.25 kPa) induce anti-inflammatory responses, while stiffer ones (~4.5 kPa) trigger inflammation, underscoring macrophages’ sensitivity to subtle mechanical changes.

A new double network hydrogel made of pullulan, dextran and alginate was developed for guided tissue repair.

Porcine skin-derived hydrogels were obtained with tunable gelation kinetics and rheological properties, influencing printability and cell proliferation and migration. Created in BioRender. Persson, C. (2025) https://BioRender.com/qd39swt.

Without complex fluoro-chemistry, a nitric oxide donor was incorporated into a fluoropolymer using nanoemulsion infusion to develop an antibacterial and anti-fouling material. It exhibited bacterial and protein reduction and remained cytocompatible.

Copper nanoparticles, when properly combined with vitamin C, can synergistically enhance antibacterial activity against broad spectrum of bacteria through the increased generation of ROS in bacterial cells.

A screening platform to identify new kinases involved in stiffness-induced directional cell migration of PAH cells.

The lattice plate with an ultra-low attachment (ULA) surface of N-hexanoyl glycol chitosan (HGC) layer enables 3D co-culture of CD40L-expressing stromal cells and human B cells that replicates features of the secondary lymphoid organs in vitro.

Flame-made calcium phosphate nanoparticles with varying crystallinity and carbonate content were incorporated into electrospun PLGA fibers for bone tissue engineering.

Schematic illustrating bioactive scaffold with tunable mechanical, electrical, and chemical cues to facilitate tissue repair after injury. PVDF-TrFE scaffolds were functionalized with dECM, electrospun and tested to examine cell and tissue reaction.

Development and optimization of erythromycin-loaded nanoliposomes as a versatile delivery platform to treat infections with coexisting bacterial resistance and oxidative stress, especially at mucosal sites.

Proteins, lipids and metabolites are adsorbed on the bio-functional surface of microparticles. These components at the bio-interface determine innate immune cell reactions.

Microparticles are loaded with peptides in distinct configurations, which result in comparable immune cell activity and enable flexible CMC development.

Ultrasound-responsive IMDQ nano-prodrug (IMDQ-N₃ NPs) enables spatiotemporal activation, enhancing the selectivity and safety of IMDQ. Combined with US, IMDQ-N₃ NPs achieved 95.7% tumor suppression in mice.

An optical clearing, light sheet microscopy and analysis pipeline was created for decellularized ECM (dECM)-based in vitro models. Our approach quantifies cell invasion in colorectal cancer liver metastasis (CRLM) models engineered with dECM.

Using MTY probe, intracellular temperature was monitored under multi-mode thermal stimulation (incubator, FCCP, NIR laser). Heating/laser increased astrocytic Ca²⁺ spiking likely via TRPV4-dependent Ca²⁺ influx and/or mitochondrial/ER Ca²⁺ release.

A series of cationic polyaspartamides (PASP_nDA_m) with different side chain lengths (m) and degrees of polymerization (n) were synthesized to systematically investigate their antibacterial activity and biocompatibility.

Stainless steel 316L (316L SS) is frequently used in implants and medical devices because of its low cost, high mechanical strength, and adequate biocompatibility.

Upon delivery to CD44(+) endometriotic cells, Au@P_AbCD44 was internalised via clathrin-mediated endocytosis. Laser exposure of cells, based on LSPR properties, increased the temperature and promoted apoptotic over necrotic cell death.

Surface functionalization of rare-earth nanoparticles, an emergent class of optical probes attractive for deep-tissue biological imaging, with bybrid silica-lipid shells for T-cell labeling.

Here we developed a new drug for treatment of atherosclerosis. It can clear 1/3 area of the plaque area targeting the aortic arch within three weeks. It brings hope for the rapid treatment of atherosclerosis.

The designed ionophore, gramicidin-inspired protease-stabilized peptide-based proton transporter, exhibited strong anti-cancer efficacy against metastatic, radioresistant kidney cancer and potentiated immunotherapy.

The development of synthetic glycoarchitectures for targeted bacterial adhesion represents a promising strategy in anti-adhesion therapy.

Integration of interleukin-10 to mesenchymal stem cell-derived extracellular nanovesicles effectively enhances anti-inflammatory responses in both macrophages and DCs, ultimately accelerating the skin wound healing in vivo.

A rapid in situ-forming, mucoadhesive PEG hydrogel was developed, offering prolonged retention in the nasal cavity and potentially other mucosal sites for drug delivery applications.

Light-assisted bioprinting of protein-derived hydrogels has been widely used for tissue engineering and regenerative medicine.

Biomimetic double network hydrogels provide minimally invasive solution for treatment of cartilage defects.

An injectable peptide hydrogel was used for the sustained release of Erwinase®, an FDA-approved therapeutic enzyme against acute lymphoblastic leukemia.

Cationic metallopolymers offer a promising strategy to combat multidrug-resistant (MDR) Gram-negative bacteria.

Cu-BTC mofs embedded, tannic acid loaded 3-D polymeric hydrogel composed of gellan gum, zein for deep wound healing.

This study utilizes a 3D bioprinted stromal model to obtain EVs that differ based on proximity to a tumor. A 3D tumor spheroid model displayed increased spheroid diameter after treatment with normal tumor adjacent fibroblast EVs.

This study developed a nitric oxide-releasing (NORel) hand sanitizer gel which demonstrated superior antimicrobial properties, achieving over 5-log reduction in bacteria, and maintained efficacy longer than commercial alcohol-based gels.

3D printed gelatin scaffolds incorporated with quarternary ammonium compounds are a promising effective and cytocompatible platform for root canal disinfection in regenerative endodontic procedures (REPs).

A microprinting approach is developed to fabricate uniform polymer microcages from microarray structures, enabling scalable production and tunable drug release through precise control over polymer composition.

Dry biomaterial scaffolds (Drydux) are a novel platform that enhances viral transduction ~10-fold while simplifying therapeutic cell production. Here, we systematically evaluate the biomaterial properties governing transduction enhancement.