Tissue engineering, from a technical standpoint, combines the realms of engineering and life sciences to fabricate biofunctional substitutes for tissues and organs, aiming to elucidate the fundamental functions of cells in vivo. This process relies on three essential tools: growth factors, cells, and scaffolds, which are intricately involved in the formation of neotissue or the regeneration of tissue from cells with the assistance of growth factors and biomaterials. Recent progress in hydrogel chemistry has allowed scientists to create injectable hydrogels that form in situ and contain cells. This partially invasive system offers the potential for customized scaffold engineering based on the severity of the defect or damaged site, with a focus on tissue architecture, physicochemical properties, and biological functions that work together to facilitate tissue repair. Chitosan is a biomaterial that is well-suited for the creation of injectable hydrogels in a variety of tissue engineering applications. These hydrogels can be formed in situ, meaning that the chitosan precursor is injected in liquid form and then forms a gel upon injection. It is worth noting that pH and thermosensitive physical gelation are the most commonly used methods to develop in situ-formed chitosan hydrogels. While self-association or physical gelation is a gentler process that allows for the entrapment of viable cells within the gel matrix, it often fails to provide sufficient mechanical support to the damaged body part and cannot be precisely tailored for degradation and in vivo performance.

This research topic aims to introduce an innovative approach to address the limitations associated with chitosan hydrogels by employing covalent cross-linking techniques. By utilizing the reactive amino groups present in the chitosan backbone, researchers aim to develop chitosan hydrogels with highly adjustable mechanical properties and tailorable degradation characteristics. This approach holds promise for overcoming the challenges commonly encountered with chitosan-based hydrogels, potentially leading to advancements in various biomedical applications such as tissue engineering, drug delivery, and wound healing. Further, the aim of this research topic is to explore novel chemistries and manufacturing techniques aimed at enhancing the engineering of spatial and time-dependent properties of hydrogels. Specifically, the focus is on investigating two main approaches: (1) combining diverse polymers, including proteins/peptides and polysaccharides, to create composite hydrogels that can be injected, and (2) merging nanomaterials with polymers to form injectable nanocomposite hydrogels. Ultimately, the goal is to develop hydrogels that closely resemble the native extracellular matrix (ECM) in various aspects, thereby minimizing incongruity between the injected hydrogel and the surrounding native tissue environment.

To gather further insights into the development and application of injectable chitosan hydrogels and nanocomposites, we welcome articles addressing, but not limited to, the following themes:

- Introduction to Injectable Chitosan Hydrogel and Nanocomposite: Exploring their Role in Tissue Regeneration
- Understanding the Importance of Tissue Regeneration in Healthcare
- Exploring the Potential of Injectable Chitosan Hydrogel for Tissue Engineering Applications
- Nanocomposite Materials: Enhancing the Efficacy of Injectable Chitosan Hydrogel in Tissue Regeneration
- Addressing the Challenges in Tissue Regeneration: A Focus on Injectable Biomaterials
- Applications of Injectable Chitosan Hydrogel and Nanocomposite in Regenerative Medicine
- Innovations in Injectable Biomaterials: A Closer Look at Chitosan Hydrogel and Nanocomposite Systems
- Biomedical Engineering Breakthroughs: Injectable Chitosan Hydrogel and Nanocomposite for Tissue Repair
- Advancements in Tissue Engineering: Harnessing the Potential of Injectable Chitosan Hydrogel and Nanocomposite
- Clinical Perspectives on Injectable Chitosan Hydrogel and Nanocomposite for Tissue Regeneration

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Frontiers in Biomaterials Science

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