Advances in Polymer-Based Biomaterials for Tissue Engineering and Regenerative Medicine

Regenerative medicine and tissue engineering strategies typically focus on regenerating, healing, or replacing damaged or injured tissues and organs through support materials that can provide the necessary means to facilitate regeneration. Synthetic materials commonly used to fabricate scaffolds, implants, and other structures include metals, ceramics, polymers, and their combinations. Natural and bio-derived materials such as biopolymers, biofilters, and biomolecules are also used for these applications, often in conjunction with synthetic materials. Among these materials, (bio)polymers offer the advantages of mechanically mimicking the soft tissues, ease of processing, high degree of tunability, and, if needed, biodegradability. Polymer-based biomaterials are being used throughout the human body as bone scaffolds, cartilage repair materials, vascular repair devices, nerve conduits, stents, and wound dressings. To successfully use these materials in the clinic, their fabrication method and final mechanical and biological performance need to be carefully and iteratively considered. Different synthetic and processing techniques can be used to generate polymer-based biomaterials. Based on the strategy used, the final structure and performance of the biomaterial will vary greatly, which is also one of the advantages of using (bio)polymeric materials for this purpose.

This research topic aims to explore the recent advances in polymer-based biomaterials research, emphasizing the mechanical performance of the final structures and their biological behavior. The mechanical behavior of biomaterials is critical for their successful translation, as the properties of the materials must match the properties of the tissues of interest, and these materials must provide stabilization or even load-bearing capabilities where necessary. Performance-altering techniques such as the synthesis of specialized systems, reinforcement strategies, processing methods and their parameters, including additive manufacturing, as well as different post-processing treatments, the behavior of the biomaterial on the cellular level, and implantation in animal models with associated biomechanical studies – will all encompass the breadth of state-of-the-art research in the field.

To gather further insights into the fabrication, mechanical performance, and biological behavior of polymeric biomaterials, we welcome articles addressing, but not limited to, the following themes:

- Polymer-based biomaterials for different biomedical applications, including tissue engineering and regenerative medicine, wound healing, orthopedic and dental applications, angiogenesis, and others

- Stimuli-responsive polymers for shape-memory or shape-changing scaffolds and implants

- Biodegradable polymer-based biomaterials

- Mechanical behavior and fatigue of polymer-based medical devices and scaffolds

- Additive manufacturing, including bioprinting, of polymer-based biomaterials

- Polymer-based biocomposites and nanocomposites for biomedical applications

- Polysaccharide-based and other types of hydrogels for chronic wound healing

- Pro-angiogenic materials for vascular tissue engineering

- Multi-functional and multi-structured biomaterials with enhanced mechanical properties to regulate cell behavior

Types of manuscripts accepted: Original Research, Review, Systematic Review, Mini Review, Hypothesis and Theory, Perspective, Opinion, and Perspectives

Keywords: polymers, biomaterials, scaffolds, implants, soft materials, bio-composites

Important Note: All contributions to this Research Topic must be within the scope of the section and journal to which they are submitted, as defined in their mission statements. Frontiers reserves the right to guide an out-of-scope manuscript to a more suitable section or journal at any stage of peer review.