Advanced Biomaterials Research Articles

Advanced Biomaterials for 3D Printing via a Synergistic Dual-Photopolymer Design

Advanced Biomaterials for 3D Printing via a Synergistic Dual-Photopolymer Design

Therapeutic factors and biomaterial-based delivery tools for degenerative intervertebral disc repair.

Intervertebral disc degeneration (IDD) is the main cause of low back pain (LBP), which significantly impacts global wellbeing and contributes to global productivity declines. Conventional treatment approaches, encompassing conservative and surgical interventions, merely serve to postpone the advancement of IDD without offering a fundamental reversal. Consequently, there is an urgent demand for an effective approach to prevent the progression of IDD. Recent investigations focusing on the treatment of IDD utilizing diverse bioactive substances integrated within various biomaterials have exhibited promising outcomes. Various bioactive substances, encompassing conventional small molecule drugs, small molecule nucleic acids, and cell therapies, exhibit distinct capacities for repairing IDD. Additionally, various biological material delivery systems, such as nano micelles, microspheres, and hydrogels, possess diverse biological and release characteristics. Consequently, these diverse materials and drugs hold promise for advancing the treatment of IDD. This article aims to provide a concise overview of the IDD process and investigate the research advancements in biomaterials and bioactive substances for IDD treatment, delving into their mechanisms.

Highly Bioactive MXene-M2-Exosome Nanocomposites Promote Angiogenic Diabetic Wound Repair through Reconstructing High Glucose-Derived Immune Inhibition.

The repair of diabetic wounds remains challenging, primarily due to the high-glucose-derived immune inhibition which often leads to the excessive inflammatory response, impaired angiogenesis, and heightened susceptibility to infection. However, the means to reduce the immunosuppression and regulate the conversion of M2 phenotype macrophages under a high-glucose microenvironment using advanced biomaterials for diabetic wounds are not yet fully understood. Herein, we report two-dimensional carbide (MXene)-M2 macrophage exosome (Exo) nanohybrids (FM-Exo) for promoting diabetic wound repair by overcoming the high-glucose-derived immune inhibition. FM-Exo showed the sustained release of M2 macrophage-derived exosomes (M2-Exo) up to 7 days and exhibited broad-spectrum antibacterial activity. In the high-glucose microenvironment, relative to the single Exo, FM-Exo could significantly induce the optimized M2a/M2c polarization ratio of macrophages by activating the PI3K/Akt signaling pathway, promoting the proliferation, migration of fibroblasts, and angiogenic ability of endothelial cells. In the diabetic full-thickness wound model, FM-Exo effectively regulated the polarization status of macrophages and promoted their transition to the M2 phenotype, thereby inhibiting inflammation, promoting angiogenesis through VEGF secretion, and improving proper collagen deposition. As a result, the healing process was accelerated, leading to a better healing outcome with reduced scarring. Therefore, this study introduced a promising approach to address diabetic wounds by developing bioactive nanomaterials to regulate immune inhibition in a high-glucose environment.

Applications of advanced biomaterials for the development of contraception

Applications of advanced biomaterials for the development of contraception

Application of advanced biomaterials in wound repair

Cutaneous wound healing is an extremely complex pathophysiological process. With the rapid development of material science and tissue engineering, the advanced biomaterials developed through multi-disciplinary integration are of multi-functions and effects, providing novel ideas, strategies, and methods for accelerating wound repair and improving the quality of wound repair, and even tissue regeneration. This paper summarized the application of various multi-functional advanced biomaterials in promoting wound repair.

Biomaterials in dentistry: Advances in tissue engineering for dental restoration

Background: In regenerative medicine, advances in biomaterials have significantly impacted various medical fields, including dentistry. The use of implants, both metallic and non-metallic, has raised concerns about bacterial adhesion and biofilm formation, which can lead to complications such as peri-implantitis. Innovations in drug delivery systems and additive manufacturing technologies offer new solutions to these challenges. Methods: The review explores recent developments in biomaterials for dental restoration, focusing on drug-eluting implants, additive manufacturing, nanotechnology, and biocompatible coatings. The study evaluates the effectiveness of various drug delivery systems, including hydrogels, nanoparticles, and polymers, and discusses advancements in 3D printing and surface coatings. Results: Additive manufacturing technologies, such as 3D printing, have enabled the creation of precise models and drug delivery systems. Nanotechnology has introduced new materials with improved antimicrobial properties and targeted drug delivery capabilities. Innovations in coatings, such as hydroxyapatite (HA) and calcium phosphate, have enhanced osseointegration and reduced infection risks. Additionally, nanomaterials like gold and silver nanoparticles have shown promise in improving implant functionality and reducing bacterial colonization. Conclusion: Advances in biomaterials and manufacturing technologies have significantly improved the effectiveness and safety of dental implants.

Bioconversion of Agroindustrial Asparagus Waste into Bacterial Cellulose by Komagataeibacter rhaeticus

Bacterial cellulose is a biomaterial known for its physical and mechanical properties, including its high mechanical strength, water retention capacity, and biocompatibility. Its production from various carbohydrates has been widely studied, aiming to find more efficient and cost-effective culture media. This study investigated the production of bacterial cellulose from agroindustrial asparagus peel waste by Komagataeibacter rhaeticus QK23. A strain of QK23 was isolated and cultivated from a kombucha tea, identified based on morphological and molecular characteristics using the 16S rRNA gene. The waste was hydrolyzed and converted into fermentable sugars. Using the response surface methodology, the inoculum dose (1–20%) and incubation time (3–25 days) were evaluated concerning bacterial cellulose yield. The results demonstrated that with an optimal inoculum dose of 10.5% and an incubation time of 25 days, a production of 2.57 g/L was achieved. It was characterized as similar to type I cellulose, exhibiting a high degree of crystallinity (81.89%) and suitable morphological properties, evidenced by a fiber size of 178 nm and a surface roughness of 27.05 nm. Converting asparagus waste into bacterial cellulose is a sustainable and effective strategy that promotes the development of advanced biomaterials in biotechnology research.

Current advances in biomaterials for inner ear cell regeneration.

Inner ear cell regeneration from stem/progenitor cells provides potential therapeutic strategies for the restoration of sensorineural hearing loss (SNHL), however, the efficiency of regeneration is low and the functions of differentiated cells are not yet mature. Biomaterials have been used in inner ear cell regeneration to construct a more physiologically relevant 3D culture system which mimics the stem cell microenvironment and facilitates cellular interactions. Currently, these biomaterials include hydrogel, conductive materials, magneto-responsive materials, photo-responsive materials, etc. We analyzed the characteristics and described the advantages and limitations of these materials. Furthermore, we reviewed the mechanisms by which biomaterials with different physicochemical properties act on the inner ear cell regeneration and depicted the current status of the material selection based on their characteristics to achieve the reconstruction of the auditory circuits. The application of biomaterials in inner ear cell regeneration offers promising opportunities for the reconstruction of the auditory circuits and the restoration of hearing, yet biomaterials should be strategically explored and combined according to the obstacles to be solved in the inner ear cell regeneration research.

Perspectives of researchers and clinicians on patient and public involvement (PPI) in preclinical spinal cord research: An interview study.

Patient and public involvement (PPI) in research is an embedded practice in clinical research, however, its role in preclinical or laboratory-based research is less well established and presents specific challenges. This study aimed to explore the perspectives of two key stakeholder groups, preclinical researchers and clinicians on PPI in preclinical research, using spinal cord research as a case study. Semi-structured interviews were conducted online with 11 clinicians and 11 preclinical researchers all working in the area of spinal cord injury (SCI). Interviews were transcribed verbatim and analysed thematically. Nine themes were developed through analysis. Participants' perspectives included that people living with SCI had a right to be involved, that PPI can improve the relevance of preclinical research, and that PPI can positively impact the experiences of researchers. They identified the distance between lab-based research and the daily experiences of living with SCI to be a barrierand proactive management of accessibility and the motivated and networked SCI community as key facilitators. To develop strong partnerships, participants suggested setting clear expectations, ensuring good communication, and demonstrating respect for the time of PPI contributors involved in the research. While traditionally PPI has been more commonly associated with clinical research, participants identified several potential benefits of PPI in preclinical spinal cord research that have applicability to preclinical researchers more broadly. Preclinical spinal researchers should explore how to include PPI in their work. This study was conducted as part of a broader project aiming to develop an evidence base for preclinical PPI that draws on a 5-year preclinical research programme focused on the development of advanced biomaterials for spinal cord repair as a case study. A PPI Advisory Panel comprising seriously injured rugby players, clinicians, preclinical researchers, and PPI facilitators collaborated as co-authors on the conceptualisation, design of the interview protocol, data analysis and writing of this manuscript.

Water-Based Synthesis of β-Sheet-Like Supramolecular Metallohydrogel Organized by Using a Native Ultrashort Peptide Sequence.

Designing supramolecular hydrogels using short peptides is challenging. To control self-assembly, a certain amount of organic solvent is typically added to the system, or the short peptide is modified with a functional group that is hydrophobic, hydrophilic, or highly coordinative. We discovered that l-His-l-Ile-l-Thr (HIT), a very short unmodified "native" tripeptide, selectively responds to Cu2+ ions in pure water to form a transparent supramolecular metallohydrogel. Circular dichroism analysis revealed that Cu2+ ions, but no other metal species, caused HIT to change from a random-coil-like to a β-sheet-like structure. Other spectroscopic methods were used to characterize the properties of the supramolecular metallohydrogel. These results are expected to facilitate the development of native short peptides as advanced functional biomaterials.

Ferrous/Ferric Ions Crosslinked Type II Collagen Multifunctional Hydrogel for Advanced Osteoarthritis Treatment.

Osteoarthritis (OA) is a highly prevalent and intricate degenerative joint disease affecting an estimated 500 million individuals worldwide. Collagen-based hydrogels have sparked immense interest in cartilage tissue engineering, but substantial challenges persist in developing biocompatible and robust crosslinking strategies, as well as improving their effectiveness against the multifaceted nature of OA. Herein, a novel discovery wherein the simple incorporation of ferrous/ferric ions enables efficient dynamic crosslinking of type II collagen, leading to the development of injectable, self-healing hydrogels with 3D interconnected porous nanostructures, is unveiled. The ferrous/ferric ions crosslinked type II collagen hydrogels demonstrate exceptional physical properties, such as significantly enhanced mechanical strength, minimal swelling ratios, and remarkable resistance to degradation, while also exhibiting extraordinary biocompatibility and bioactivity, effectively promoting cell proliferation, adhesion, and chondrogenic differentiation. Additionally, the hydrogels reveal potent anti-inflammatory effects by upregulating anti-inflammatory cytokines while downregulating pro-inflammatory cytokines. In a rat model of cartilage defects, these hydrogels exhibit impressive efficacy, substantially accelerating cartilage tissue regeneration through enhanced collagen deposition and increased proteoglycan secretion. The innovative discovery of the multifunctional role of ferrous/ferric ions in endowing type II collagen hydrogels with a myriad of beneficial properties presents exciting prospects for developing advanced biomaterials with potential applications in OA.

Bioinspired polysaccharide-based nanocomposite membranes with robust wet mechanical properties for guided bone regeneration

ABSTRACT Polysaccharide-based membranes with excellent mechanical properties are highly desired. However, severe mechanical deterioration under wet conditions limits their biomedical applications. Here, inspired by the structural heterogeneity of strong yet hydrated biological materials, we propose a strategy based on heterogeneous crosslink-and-hydration (HCH) of a molecule/nano dual-scale network to fabricate polysaccharide-based nanocomposites with robust wet mechanical properties. The heterogeneity lies in that the crosslink-and-hydration occurs in the molecule-network while the stress-bearing nanofiber-network remains unaffected. As one demonstration, a membrane assembled by bacterial cellulose nanofiber-network and Ca2+-crosslinked and hydrated sodium alginate molecule-network is designed. Studies show that the crosslinked-and-hydrated molecule-network restricts water invasion and boosts stress transfer of the nanofiber-network by serving as interfibrous bridge. Overall, the molecule-network makes the membrane hydrated and flexible; the nanofiber-network as stress-bearing component provides strength and toughness. The HCH dual-scale network featuring a cooperative effect stimulates the design of advanced biomaterials applied under wet conditions such as guided bone regeneration membranes.

Recent Advances in Maturation of Induced pluripotent Stem Cells-derived Cardiomyocytes

Induced pluripotent stem cells -derived cardiomyocytes (iPSC-CMs) increasingly become an important tool for studying genetic heart diseases, drug screening and heart cell therapy. However, iPSC-CMs differentiated by the traditional ways are immature and the challenge of producing fully matured iPSC-CMs that functionally resemble adult cardiomyocytes persists. Immature iPSC-CMs exhibit characteristics typical of fetal-stage cells, including less developed contractility, electrophysiological properties, and metabolic processes. These limitations restrict their clinical applications, especially in regenerative medicine. Over the past decade, numerous strategies have been developed to enhance the maturation of iPSC-CMs. These include prolonged culture periods, biochemical induction using specific hormones and energy substrates, and the application of biophysical stimuli such as electrical and mechanical stimulation. In addition, advances in biomaterials, such as extracellular matrices and hydrogels, have been crucial in replicating the physiological environment needed to support iPSC-CM development. Together, these methods aim to produce cardiomyocytes that more closely mimic adult heart cells in structure and function. This review explores recent progress in optimizing the maturation of iPSC-CMs and highlights their potential impact on future applications in cell therapy and heart disease modeling.

Hierarchically structured biomaterials for tissue regeneration

Repairing tissue defects caused by diseases and traumas presents significant challenges in the clinic. Recent advancements in biomaterials have offered promising strategies for promoting tissue regeneration. In particular, the exploration of 3D macro and microstructures of biomaterials has proven crucial in this process. The integration of macro, micro, and nanostructures facilitates the performance of biomaterials in terms of their mechanical properties, degradation rate, and distinctive impacts on cellular activities. In this review, we summarize the recent progress in biomaterials with hierarchical structures for tissue regeneration. We explore the various methods and strategies employed in designing biomaterials with hierarchical structures of different dimensions. The improvement of physicochemical properties and bioactivities by hierarchically structured biomaterials, including the regulation of mechanical properties, degradability, and the specific functions of cell behaviors, has been highlighted. Furthermore, the current applications of hierarchically structured biomaterials for tissue regeneration are discussed. Finally, we conclude by summarizing the developments of hierarchically structured biomaterials for tissue regeneration and provide future perspectives.

Recent advances in periodontal regeneration – A review

Periodontal Disease (PD) is one of the most common inflammatory oral diseases, affecting approximately 47% of adults aged 30 years or older in the United States. If not treated properly, PD leads to degradation of periodontal tissues, causing tooth movement, and eventually tooth loss. Conventional clinical therapy for PD aims at eliminating infectious sources and reducing inflammation to arrest disease progression, which cannot achieve the regeneration of lost periodontal tissues. Over the past two decades, various regenerative periodontal therapies, such as Guided Tissue Regeneration (GTR), enamel matrix derivative, bone grafts, growth factor delivery, and the combination of cells and growth factors with matrix-based scaffolds, have been developed to target the restoration of lost tooth-supporting tissues, including the periodontal ligament, alveolar bone, and cementum. This review discusses recent progress in periodontal regeneration using tissue-engineering and regenerative medicine approaches. Specifically, the focus is on the advances in biomaterials and controlled drug delivery for periodontal regeneration in recent years. Special attention is given to the development of advanced bio-inspired scaffolding biomaterials and temporospatial control of multi-drug delivery for the regeneration of the cementum-periodontal ligament-alveolar bone complex. Challenges and future perspectives are presented to provide inspiration for the design and development of innovative biomaterials and delivery systems for new regenerative periodontal therapy.

Recent Advancements in Biomaterials for Chimeric Antigen Receptor T Cell Immunotherapy.

Cellular immunotherapy is an innovative cancer treatment method that utilizes the patient's own immune system to combat tumor cells effectively. Currently, the mainstream therapeutic approaches include chimeric antigen receptor T cell (CAR-T) therapy, T cell receptor gene-modified T cell therapy and chimeric antigen receptor natural killer-cell therapy with CAR-T therapy mostly advanced. Nonetheless, the conventional manufacturing process of this therapy has shortcomings in each step that call for improvement. Marked efforts have been invested for its enhancement while notable progresses achieved in the realm of biomaterials application. With CAR-T therapy as a prime example, the aim of this review is to comprehensively discuss the various biomaterials used in cell immunotherapy, their roles in regulating immune cells, and their potential for breakthroughs in cancer treatment from gene transduction to efficacy enhancement. This article additionally addressed widely adopted animal models for efficacy evaluating.

Application of biomaterials in the treatment of intracerebral hemorrhage.

Although the current surgical hematoma removal treatment saves patients'lives in critical moments of intracerebral hemorrhage (ICH), the lethality and disability rates of ICHare still very high. Due to the individual differences of patients, postoperative functional improvement is still to be confirmed, and the existing drug treatment has limited benefits for ICH. Recent advances in biomaterials may provide new ideas for the therapy of ICH. This review first briefly describes the pathogenic mechanisms of ICH, including primary and secondary injuries such as inflammation and intracerebral edema, and briefly describes the existing therapeutic approaches and their limitations. Secondly, existing nanomaterials and hydrogels for ICH, including exosomes, liposomes, and polymer nanomaterials, are also described. In addition, the potential challenges and application prospects of these biomaterials for clinical translation in ICH treatment are discussed.

Characterization of a conjugate between poly(N-vinyl caprolactam) and a triazine-based covalent organic framework as a potential biomaterial.

Thermoresponsive polymers (TRPs) have been explored over decades for biomedical applications, and poly(N-vinylcaprolactam) (PVCL) TRP is extensively investigated due to its low toxicity and lower critical solution temperature (LCST), close to physiological temperatures. Besides this, the utilization of covalent organic frameworks (COFs), which belong to a class of porous polymers, in bio-based applications is of great interest due to their remarkable properties. Thus, the integration of PVCL and covalent organic frameworks (COFs) as conjugate materials can lead to advanced bio-based applications; however, the need is to understand the influence of the COF on the PVCL conformation. Herein, a triazine-based COF, CC-TAPT-COF, has been synthesized and completely characterized. Later, the effect of CC-TAPT-COF on the PVCL polymer conformation was studied using various techniques. In fluorescence spectroscopy, a fluorescence quenching for PVCL in the presence of CC-TAPT-COF was observed, which indicated conformational changes. Later, results from thermal fluorescence studies and dynamic light scattering as a function of temperature showed a slight decrease in LCST value for PVCL after the addition of CC-TAPT-COF concentrations. These results showed a slight effect of CC-TAPT-COF on the PVCL conformation. Likewise, a slight decrease in the transmittance value for specific bands in infrared spectra showed a slight effect of CC-TAPT-COF on the PVCL conformation. Further, results from electron microscopy and atomic force microscopy revealed a conjugate formation between PVCL and CC-TAPT-COF due to the presence of binding interactions between them. Overall, the results from several studies showed a slight effect of CC-TAPT-COF on the PVCL during conjugate formation between PVCL and CC-TAPT-COF. This study will be beneficial for the development of COF-thermoresponsive polymer conjugates with a mixture of their unique features as advanced biomaterials.

3D-Bioprinted Skin Tissues for Improving Wound Healing: Current Status and Perspective.

Advancements in tissue engineering enable the fabrication of complex and functional tissues or organs. In particular, bioprinting enables controlled and accurate deposition of cells, biomaterials, and growth factors to create complex 3D skin constructs specific to a particular individual. Despite these advancements, challenges such as vascularization, long-term stability, and regulatory considerations hinder the clinical translation of bioprinted skin constructs. This chapter focuses on such approaches using advanced biomaterials and bioprinting techniques to overcome the current barriers in wound-healing studies. Moreover, it addresses current obstacles in wound-healing studies, highlighting the need for continued research and innovation to overcome these barriers and facilitate the practical utilization of bioprinted skin constructs in clinical settings.

Preface

The International Conference on Frontier Materials (ICFM) is initiated and sponsored by International Union of Materials Research Societies (IUMRS) and Advanced Materials Alliance of CAST Members Societies (AMAC), and is co-organized by AMAC and Shanghai University. ICFM is intended to provide an open and exciting forum for researchers and students from materials science and interdisciplinary fields worldwide to present their new and exciting scientific discoveries and innovations in advanced materials. The conference is also designed to offer an international platform for researchers from industrial labs, academic institutes and business to discuss technology development and transfer as well as potential impact of frontier materials on commercial products and industrial applications.The first conference (ICMF2022) was held in May, 2022, by the hybridized approach of accepting both on-site participation and on-line presentation. The second one (ICFM2023) was held in Qingdao International Convention and Exhibition Center (Laoshan), Qingdao, China, Oct. 13-17.The ICMF2023 had 31 symposia which were grouped into seven topical clusters of Energy and Environmental Materials, Advanced Information Materials, Advanced Bio and Bio-Inspired Materials, Advanced Structural Materials, Advanced Functional Materials, Low-Dimensional Materials, and Design, Preparation and Evaluation for Materials. There were nearly 2000 participants attending ICFM2023, and more than 800 scientists and graduate students presented lectures at the parallel sessions of 31 symposia.Eight plenary lectures were presented by world-renowned materials scientists from Asia, Europe, North America and South America. Four specific forums as well as Exhibition on Analysis and Testing Equipment for Materials were held simultaneously. During the conference, the awards of IUMRS-FMA (Frontier Materials Awards) to scientists and students who have made outstanding contribution in the field of Frontier Materials was issued.The Conference papers have been published on four materials related journals and conference proceedings. This conference volume comprises of selected papers mainly in the field of advanced high-temperature structure materials and materials characterization as well as eco-materials.I would like to express my appreciation to the paper referees of Profs. Yongwang Kang, Jiangbo Sha, Jinxia Song, Wenlong Xiao, Xinqing Zhao and Chungen Zhou. Thanks also go to Mrs. Xiaomei Ma for the work of papers’ duplicate checking. And the special appreciation should be given to Mrs. Flora Han and Mr. Jianyun Lin for their miscellaneous work to correct the information about the papers as well as communicate with the authors.Prof. Yafang HanChair of academic Committee of ICFM2023Guest Editor of IOP ICFM2023 ProceedingsList of Organizing Committee is available in this pdf.