Bioengineering and Translational Research for Bone and Joint Disorders

Dear Colleagues,

Musculoskeletal diseases, including osteoarthritis, osteoporosis, ligament/tendon injuries, and large bone defects, represent a leading global health burden, affecting millions worldwide. These conditions often result in chronic pain, disability, and reduced quality of life, while posing significant challenges to healthcare systems due to their limited treatment options and high recurrence rates. Traditional interventions (e.g., joint replacements and autografts) face limitations such as donor-site morbidity, implant wear, and poor integration with host tissues.

Bioengineering and translational research offer transformative solutions by leveraging advanced materials, stem cell therapies, and tissue engineering strategies to regenerate damaged bone and joint tissues. This Special Issue aims to bridge the gap between laboratory innovations and clinical applications, addressing unmet needs in musculoskeletal repair and rehabilitation.

We invite original research articles, reviews, and short communications covering (but not limited to) the following themes:

1. Biomaterials and Scaffold Design
   • 3D-Printed/Bioprinted Scaffolds: Innovations in porous, biodegradable materials (e.g., hydrogels, composites, ceramics) for bone, cartilage, and tendon regeneration.
   • Smart Materials: Stimuli-responsive biomaterials (e.g., pH-, light-, or mechanically triggered drug release) for controlled delivery of growth factors, antibiotics, or cells.
   • Surface Modifications: Functionalized implants (e.g., antibacterial coatings, bioactive peptides) to enhance osseointegration and reduce infection risks.
2. Regenerative Medicine and Cell Therapies
   • Stem-Cell-Based Approaches: Mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs), induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSCs), and chondrocytes for cartilage/bone repair.
   • Exosome and Secretome Therapies: Acellular strategies harnessing extracellular vesicles for tissue regeneration.
   • Mechanobiology: Role of mechanical stimuli (e.g., dynamic loading, substrate stiffness) in directing cell fate and tissue maturation.
3. Translational Challenges and Clinical Solutions
   • Large Bone Defect Repair: Strategies combining scaffolds, growth factors, and vascularization techniques (e.g., angiogenic factors, 3D-printed vascular networks).
   • Joint Degeneration: Bioengineering interventions for early-stage osteoarthritis (e.g., meniscus regeneration, subchondral bone stabilization).
   • Infection Management: Antibacterial biomaterials and implant designs to combat periprosthetic joint infections (PJIs).
4. Emerging Technologies
   • Organ-on-a-Chip Models: Microphysiological systems for drug screening and disease modeling in bone/joint tissues.
   • AI and Machine Learning: Predictive modeling for personalized scaffold design or treatment optimization.
   • Neuro-Regeneration: Bioengineering approaches to restore sensory/motor function in joint-related neuropathies.

We encourage researchers, clinicians, and industry partners to contribute groundbreaking work that advances the field of bone and joint bioengineering. Together, let’s accelerate the translation of innovative therapies from bench to bedside!

Dr. Danilo Donati
Guest Editor

Manuscript Submission Information

Manuscripts should be submitted online at www.mdpi.com by registering and logging in to this website. Once you are registered, click here to go to the submission form. Manuscripts can be submitted until the deadline. All submissions that pass pre-check are peer-reviewed. Accepted papers will be published continuously in the journal (as soon as accepted) and will be listed together on the special issue website. Research articles, review articles as well as short communications are invited. For planned papers, a title and short abstract (about 250 words) can be sent to the Editorial Office for assessment.

Submitted manuscripts should not have been published previously, nor be under consideration for publication elsewhere (except conference proceedings papers). All manuscripts are thoroughly refereed through a single-blind peer-review process. A guide for authors and other relevant information for submission of manuscripts is available on the Instructions for Authors page. Biomedicines is an international peer-reviewed open access monthly journal published by MDPI.

Please visit the Instructions for Authors page before submitting a manuscript. The Article Processing Charge (APC) for publication in this open access journal is 2600 CHF (Swiss Francs). Submitted papers should be well formatted and use good English. Authors may use MDPI's English editing service prior to publication or during author revisions.

• musculoskeletal diseases
• advanced materials
• stem cell therapies
• tissue engineering strategies