It is an exciting time to be involved in biomaterials science and engineering. Diverse chemical approaches are being intensely explored to generate new functional biomaterials that are facilitating novel technologies for analysis, detection and modulation of biological events. Therapies unforeseen only a few years ago are becoming a possibility, and even a reality. All this excitement has been possible with a deep appreciation of the mechanistic details of the operation of functional biomaterials. Biomaterials scientists have embraced inorganic and organic chemistry to create new biomaterials, and engineer their composition to optimize their molecular fabric and hence the performance. Novel fabrication methods are placing additional demands on biomaterial features and researchers are welcoming this challenge. The interface of biomaterials with physiological systems have been embraced with enthusiasm; with no-holds-barred attitude, emerging concepts of tissue systems are being utilized to complement the performance of biomaterials in order to reach the best outcomes at interfaces. Engineered systems at smaller and smaller scales are being achieved to mimic native tissues on one hand, and to create application-driven functional devices on the other hand. These bioengineered systems are providing alternatives to reduce our impact on animal use in research as well as superior medical interventions. To realize the long-sought dream of implementing regeneration at will, new biomaterials that support innate molecular and cellular events is highly sought. Mechanical biomaterials on their own is not likely to deliver the required support; complementary signals derived from growth factors and genetic elements are modulating in situ events for tissue repair and integration.

This Research Topic will summarize the latest advances in biomaterial design and engineering to implement emerging biomedical technologies and interventions in a clinical setting. It will have an ambitious goal to broadly tackle the key challenges facing biomaterials researchers. The well-established working hypothesis, that is material chemistry influences genetic flow of information in a cell that alters cellular behavior in contact with biomaterial, leading to organ level changes, are central in this research topic (see thematic picture). Individual manuscripts in this collection represents a combination of in-depth reviews and perspectives from leading experts in their fields, summarizing the-state-of-the-art in critical aspects of biomaterials science. The experts are encouraged to highlight their recent work in these areas and identify key developments or features with transformative potential. Critical barriers and requirements for clinical implementation are summarized from the authors’ perspective.

This research topic will be composed of review articles by experienced researchers in emerging areas of biomaterials science. The content will be composed of review articles with an expanded perspective section. The article will cover significant development in recent years with a balanced perspective. Reviews should present a complete overview of the state of the art, presenting fundamental concepts and issues, current research gaps and potential future developments. Different school of thoughts should be presented on selected themes and the authors are encouraged to provide their viewpoint in a balanced manner with an accurate presentation and citations of other authors’ work. Clear, logical articulation of thoughts that may rely on published data and/or sound reasoning are encouraged.

The following is the listing of possible research topics for this Research Theme. The contributions will be primarily by editorial invitation, but enquiries about new topics and possible authors are also welcome by the topic editors.

• Chemistry for New Biomaterials
• Bioactive Hydrogels
• Inorganic Biomaterials
• Biodegradable Metals
• Computational Approach in Study of Biomaterials
• Biofabrication
• Tissue-Material Interfaces: Integration and Communication
• Tissue Regeneration Scaffolds
• Creating Cancer Models Ex Vivo
• Cultivating Organoids
• Bioartificial Systems in Microdevices
• Biomaterials in Immune Modulation
• Frontiers in Drug Delivery
• Theranostic Nanotechnology
• Genetic Modification of Host Cells
• ECM for Vascular Regeneration

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Frontiers in Bioengineering and Biotechnology

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