Biomacromolecules Systems Applied to Medical Implants for the Release of Therapeutic Agents

Medical implants are devices fabricated to replace, aid, or enhance some missing biological structure. These devices include catheters, stents, hip joints, intraocular lens, and others. Surfaces of implants are made of biomaterials because they are in contact with the body and fluid tissues, such as titanium, silicone, bioactive glass, depending of the application. Surgery is the most common way to incorporate medical implants into the body, which involves inherent risks: infections, local swelling and induration, inadequate healing, and other different possible complications. The eventuality and intensity of these postoperative risks are higher in cases of immunosuppression caused by certain diseases or conditions, such as AIDS, cancer, diabetes, malnutrition, and certain genetic disorders. Biomacromolecules are versatile to be configurated as release systems of therapeutic agents to health or significantly reduce these postoperative risks.

The aim of this Research Topic collection covers the use of biomacromolecules systems applied to biomedical implants for the release of therapeutic agents. In general terms, biomacromolecules are large sized biomolecules weighing more than 800 Da, which usually include lipids, proteins, nucleic acids, polysaccharides. Biomacromolecules are excellent biomaterials given their biocompatibility, biodegradability, and bioresorbability. 

We welcome contributions (original articles, short communications, reviews, mini-reviews, perspectives, and opinions) reporting on recent leading edge research findings in areas that include, but are not necessarily limited to, the topics listed below:

- Medical implants coated with biomacromolecules.
- Surface modifications of medical implants with biomacromolecules.
- In vitro and in vivo analysis of coated implants with biomacromolecules.
- Study of biointerfaces
- Experimental and theoretical results.