Advanced processing routes for tissue engineering and regenerative medicine

Abstract

Biomedical Materials can be interpreted in many ways: three possible avenues of interpretation are (1) the materials, (2) processing and fabrication and, finally, (3) the functionality of the generated structures. Evidently, it would be impossible to address these three facets in great detail in one single journal issue. However, this special issue features selected recent advances made in these three avenues and demonstrates their applicability to the biomedical sciences for possible clinical utility. The special issue has been divided into two sections, namely 'Biomedical materials and bioengineering' and 'Biomethods and bioprotocols'. In each of these sections the aspects associated with the materials, the processing and handling, and finally the exploitation of the generated structures have been scientifically addressed. Generally, the editorial of a special issue attempts to summarize the uniqueness of each manuscript; however, since this special issue contains over 30 articles, I will not be attempting this but leave it in the capable hands of the readers to see the collated theme. Nonetheless, very briefly the manuscripts elucidate the synthesis of new biomedical composite materials, novel processing techniques, controlled fabrication methodologies and enhanced functionality of the generated structures. The reader should bear in mind that the term 'materials' is widely interpreted, meaning structural, functional and finally biological, with scales ranging from molecules to living cells, where in each respective scenario their exploration has been demonstrated for a given biomedical application. Additionally, it should be noted that a good majority of manuscripts are experimentally based but, as it is increasingly seen that computation is making its mark in biology, this issue demonstrates the application of computational mathematics for its possible exploration within a clinical setting.We sincerely hope that you enjoy this selected collation of recent advances made in this swiftly evolving research community, which is helping to strengthen the links between the physical and life sciences.