Advanced Biomaterials, Coatings, and Techniques: Applications in Medicine

A special issue of Bioengineering (ISSN 2306-5354). This special issue belongs to the section "Biomedical Engineering and Biomaterials".

Deadline for manuscript submissions: 30 June 2025 | Viewed by 5148

Special Issue Editor


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Guest Editor
Department of Electrical and Electronic Engineering, The University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong 999077, China
Interests: soft biomaterial; biointerface; mechanobiology; biosensor

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

Advanced biomaterials, coatings, and techniques play a crucial role in the development of innovative medical devices, implants, and tissue engineering applications. These materials are designed to interact with biological systems in a way that promotes healing, integration, and functionality. Biomaterials such as biodegradable polymers, ceramic composites, and metallic alloys are being engineered with enhanced properties to meet the increasing demands of the healthcare industry. Coatings are also being developed to improve the biocompatibility, durability, and performance of medical implants and devices. Additionally, cutting-edge techniques such as 3D printing, nanotechnology, and surface modification are being utilized to fabricate biomaterials with tailored properties for specific applications. The field of advanced biomaterials, coatings, and techniques is constantly evolving, pushing the boundaries of what is possible in the realm of medical technology.

Dr. Yong Hou
Guest Editor

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Keywords

  • biomaterials
  • coatings
  • advanced techniques
  • medical devices
  • implants
  • tissue engineering
  • biocompatibility
  • 3D printing
  • nanotechnology
  • surface modification

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Published Papers (4 papers)

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Research

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16 pages, 2349 KiB  
Article
Extending the Three-Dimensional Culture of Adipocytes Through Surface Coatings
by Sheetal Chowdhury, Komal Beeton, Zacchaeus Wallace, Maggie Moore, Gene L. Bidwell III and Amol V. Janorkar
Bioengineering 2025, 12(3), 266; https://doi.org/10.3390/bioengineering12030266 - 8 Mar 2025
Viewed by 179
Abstract
To mimic the important features of progressing adiposity, in vitro adipose cell culture models must allow gradual intracellular fat accumulation in the three-dimensional (3D) arrangement of adipose-derived stem cells (ASCs) over a long-term culture period. Previously, elastin-like polypeptide (ELP) and polyethyleneimine (PEI) have [...] Read more.
To mimic the important features of progressing adiposity, in vitro adipose cell culture models must allow gradual intracellular fat accumulation in the three-dimensional (3D) arrangement of adipose-derived stem cells (ASCs) over a long-term culture period. Previously, elastin-like polypeptide (ELP) and polyethyleneimine (PEI) have been used to culture human adipose-derived stem cells (hASCs) as 3D spheroids and to differentiate them to adipocytes over a relatively long culture period of up to 5 weeks. In this study, to further enhance the spheroid adhesion properties, ELP was fused with Arginine–Glycine–Aspartic Acid (RGD) residues, known for their role as cell-attachment sites. This study aimed to assess whether the addition of RGD to the C-or N-terminus of ELP would impact the spheroid-forming ability of ELP-PEI coatings. ELP-RGD conjugates were produced using genetically modified Escherichia coli to express ELP-(RGD)3 and (RGD)3-ELP, followed by chemical conjugation with PEI. SDS gel electrophoresis, FTIR spectroscopy, and turbidimetry analyses revealed that ELP was conjugated with RGD without much alteration in the molecular weight, functional groups present, and transition temperature of ELP. The addition of RGD to ELP also did not affect the chemical conjugation capacity of ELP to PEI. We observed that the ELP-PEI coating formed slightly larger spheroids (61.8 ± 3.2 µm) compared to the ELP-(RGD)3-PEI and (RGD)3-ELP-PEI coatings (56.6 ± 3.0 and 53.4 ± 2.4 µm, respectively). Despite the size difference, ELP-(RGD)3-PEI coatings exhibited superior spheroid retention during media changes, with minimal spheroid loss. DNA assay results confirmed a significant decrease in the DNA concentration (p < 0.05) after the 20 media changes for spheroids cultured on the ELP-PEI coating, indicating spheroid loss. However, there was no significant difference in DNA concentration before and after 20 media changes for spheroids cultured on the ELP-(RGD)3-PEI and (RGD)3-ELP-PEI coatings (p > 0.05). These findings suggest that RGD incorporation does not hinder the initial spheroid formation ability of the ELP-PEI coating and enhances spheroid retention under dynamic culture conditions. Full article
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13 pages, 11930 KiB  
Article
Antibacterial Activity of Silver-Modified CuO Nanoparticle-Coated Masks
by Tanuja Udawant, Prajkta Thorat, Payal Thapa, Manali Patel, Saroj Shekhawat, Roshni Patel, Ankit Sudhir, Om Hudka, Indra Neel Pulidindi and Archana Deokar
Bioengineering 2024, 11(12), 1234; https://doi.org/10.3390/bioengineering11121234 - 5 Dec 2024
Cited by 1 | Viewed by 1462
Abstract
A green and cost-effective sonochemical synthetic method was followed for coating silver-modified copper oxide (Ag-CuO) nanoparticles (NPs) on disposable surgical mask. The NP-coated masks were systematically characterized using XRD and FT-IR for understanding the structural and surface functionalities. In addition, the field emission [...] Read more.
A green and cost-effective sonochemical synthetic method was followed for coating silver-modified copper oxide (Ag-CuO) nanoparticles (NPs) on disposable surgical mask. The NP-coated masks were systematically characterized using XRD and FT-IR for understanding the structural and surface functionalities. In addition, the field emission scanning electron microscopy (FE-SEM) analysis showed the homogeneous coating of Ag-CuO NPs over the mask fibers. The average particle size of Ag-CuO was found to be ~70 nm. The NP-coated masks are useful to combat a broad range of bacterial species by taking the unique advantage of the synergistic effect of Ag and metal oxide (CuO and ZnO) NPs for the generation of reactive oxygen species (ROS). Zone of inhibition (ZoI) studies demonstrated antibacterial activity against both Gram-positive S. aureus and Gram-negative E. coli bacteria, probably due to the elevated production of ROS by the defect structure of the Ag-modified metal oxide NPs. The material was found to be effective against both airborne and soil-borne bacteria. We repeat that this paper deals only with the killing effect of the nanoparticles (Ag-modified CuO) on bacteria, and no studies on viral species are performed. Full article
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14 pages, 3003 KiB  
Article
Stable and Thin-Polymer-Based Modification of Neurovascular Stents with 2-Methacryloyloxyethyl Phosphorylcholine Polymer for Antithrombogenicity
by Naoki Inuzuka, Yasuhiro Shobayashi, Satoshi Tateshima, Yuya Sato, Yoshio Ohba, Kazuhiko Ishihara and Yuji Teramura
Bioengineering 2024, 11(8), 833; https://doi.org/10.3390/bioengineering11080833 - 15 Aug 2024
Cited by 3 | Viewed by 2269
Abstract
The advent of intracranial stents has revolutionized the endovascular treatment of cerebral aneurysms. The utilization of stents has rendered numerous cerebral aneurysm amenable to endovascular treatment, thereby obviating the need for otherwise invasive open surgical options. Stent placement has become a mainstream approach [...] Read more.
The advent of intracranial stents has revolutionized the endovascular treatment of cerebral aneurysms. The utilization of stents has rendered numerous cerebral aneurysm amenable to endovascular treatment, thereby obviating the need for otherwise invasive open surgical options. Stent placement has become a mainstream approach because of its safety and efficacy. However, further improvements are required for clinically approved devices to avoid the frequent occurrence of thrombotic complications. Therefore, controlling the thrombotic complications associated with the use of devices is of significant importance. Our group has developed a unique stent coated with a 2-methacryloyloxyethyl phosphorylcholine (MPC)-based polymer. In this study, the surface characteristics of the polymer coating were verified using X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy and atomic force microscopy. Subsequently, the antithrombotic properties of the coating were evaluated by measuring platelet count and thrombin–antithrombin complex levels of whole human blood after 3 h of incubation in a Chandler loop model. Scanning electron microscopy was utilized to examine thrombus formation on the stent surface. We observed that MPC polymer-coated stents significantly reduced thrombus formation as compared to bare stents and several clinically approved devices. Finally, the coated stents were further analyzed by implanting them in the internal thoracic arteries of pigs. Angiographic imaging and histopathological examinations that were performed one week after implantation revealed that the vascular lumen was well maintained and coated stents were integrated within the vascular endothelium without inducing adverse effects. Thus, we demonstrated the efficacy of MPC polymer coating as a viable strategy for avoiding the thrombotic risks associated with neurovascular stents. Full article
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Review

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18 pages, 992 KiB  
Review
The Role of Magnesium, Zinc, and Strontium in Osteoporotic Fracture Repair
by Zhen Wang, Penghui Xiang, Zhe Xu, Meiqi Gu, Rui Zhang, Yifei Li, Hua Chen, Li He and Chengla Yi
Bioengineering 2025, 12(2), 201; https://doi.org/10.3390/bioengineering12020201 - 18 Feb 2025
Viewed by 676
Abstract
Osteoporotic fractures represent a significant public health challenge in the context of an aging global population, with the rising prevalence of osteoporosis intensifying the demand for effective fracture treatment. Restoring the structure and function of bone tissue damaged by osteoporosis-induced defects remains a [...] Read more.
Osteoporotic fractures represent a significant public health challenge in the context of an aging global population, with the rising prevalence of osteoporosis intensifying the demand for effective fracture treatment. Restoring the structure and function of bone tissue damaged by osteoporosis-induced defects remains a critical issue in clinical practice. In recent years, bioactive metallic materials such as magnesium, zinc, and strontium have gained considerable attention due to their exceptional mechanical properties, biocompatibility, and biodegradability, positioning them as promising materials for osteoporotic fracture repair. This review systematically explored the biological mechanisms, application advancements, and associated challenges of magnesium, zinc, and strontium in fracture healing. Key topics included their roles in promoting osteoblast proliferation and differentiation, inhibiting osteoclast activity, and modulating the bone microenvironment. Additionally, this review examined the optimization strategies for their clinical application, such as their integration into bone scaffolds, the functionalization of conventional materials, and the synergistic effects between different metals. Finally, this review analyzed the current progress and unresolved issues in this field, offering a forward-looking perspective on the clinical potential of bioactive metallic materials in precision treatment of osteoporotic fractures. Full article
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