Radiation is usually used in clinics to treat human diseases. These include photons, microwaves, magnetism, and ionizing radiation such as X-rays and particle radiation. It is difficult to treat the lesion with a sufficient treatment dose because the normal tissue surrounding the lesion limits the dose. Biomaterials have been developed to enhance or improve the biological effects of radiation to achieve a complete cure for the disease. Biomaterials scientists have used inorganic and organic chemistry to create new biomaterials and engineer their composition to optimize their molecular structure and thus their performance. For example, the dynamic path of electrons excited by radiation in the materials has been controlled and optimized to produce more ROS to destroy lesions. Critical molecular pathways and microenvironments in lesions, such as the metabolic or immunogenic microenvironment, become targets for biomaterials to sensitize cells and induce systemic effects. Multifunctional biomaterials are combined with multiple treatment modalities to achieve a synergistic effect. Individual radiation treatment is also a research focus, and the role of biomaterials should be further explored. Biomaterials for imaging-guided radiotherapy have been studied for many years, but further breakthroughs are needed for future clinical applications. Many different types of biomaterials have been reported to be effective, including biomaterials based on metal complexes, inorganic metal nanomaterials, biomacromolecules drugs, natural products, biomimetic biomaterials, and polymers. These bioengineered systems offer alternatives to minimize side effects while maximizing biological radiation effects.

This research topic provides a forum for academics to discuss biotechnology and engineering issues related to biomaterials that improve radiation biological effects in order to implement emerging biomedical technologies and interventions in a clinical setting. The well-established working hypothesis that materials chemistry influences energy flow in materials or the flow of genetic information in a cell that alters cellular behavior upon contact with biomaterials, resulting in improved radiobiological effects, is the focus of this research topic. The individual manuscripts in this collection represent novel biomaterials with an intelligent design that removes critical barriers to the biological effects of radiation. Experts are encouraged to collaborate with clinicians to conduct real-world research and advance multidisciplinary science.

We aim to focus on recent advances in novel biomaterials to improve the biological effects of radiation in the treatment of diseases such as cancer, circulation diseases, autoimmune diseases, and ocular diseases. We welcome Original Research, Review, Mini Review, and Perspective articles on topics such as, but not limited to:

1. Radiation sensitizer (photon, microwaves, magnetism, ionizing radiation) to produce ROS
2. Novel biomaterials that alter molecular pathways to make cells more radiation sensitive
3. Novel biomaterials that modulate metabolic or immunogenic microenvironments to improve the biological effects of radiation
4. Multifunctional biomaterial fabrication that combines radiation therapy with other treatment modalities
5. Individual radiation therapy with theranostic biomaterials
6. Imaging-guided radiation therapy using biomaterials

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