Molecular and Cellular Mechanisms of Biomaterial–Tissue Interactions

Dear Colleagues,

We are pleased to invite you to contribute to this Special Issue focusing on the molecular mechanisms that govern biomaterial–cell interactions. Biomaterials are increasingly recognized as active biological regulators rather than passive structural supports. At the biomaterial–cell interface, early events such as protein adsorption and matrix remodeling translate material properties—chemistry, topography, stiffness, and degradation—into intracellular signaling programs that shape adhesion, migration, polarization, differentiation, and tissue regeneration. A deeper mechanistic understanding of these processes is essential for designing safer and more effective medical devices, improving predictability in tissue engineering, and reducing complications such as chronic inflammation, fibrosis, or impaired integration.

Aim of the Special Issue and relation to the journal scope

This Special Issue aims to collect high-quality contributions that elucidate mechanistic pathways at the biomaterial–cell interface and connect molecular insights to functional biological outcomes. The topic aligns with the journal’s scope by addressing fundamental and applied aspects of biomaterials research, including biocompatibility, immunomodulation, regenerative processes, and advanced material design strategies. By bringing together interdisciplinary studies—from materials science to cell biology, immunology, and translational research—this Special Issue will provide a coherent overview of how biomaterial properties and biointerfaces can be engineered to modulate cellular responses in a predictable manner. The scope is intentionally focused on mechanisms while remaining broad enough to attract a critical mass of submissions across diverse material platforms and model systems.

Suggested themes and article types for submissions
In this Special Issue, original research articles and reviews are welcome. Research areas may include (but are not limited to) the following:

• Protein adsorption/protein corona formation and downstream cell signaling;
• Integrin-mediated adhesion, focal adhesion dynamics, and cytoskeletal organization;
• Mechanotransduction pathways and stiffness/topography sensing;
• Immuno-biomaterials: macrophage polarization, foreign body reaction, and inflammation resolution;
• Fibrosis, encapsulation, angiogenesis, and interface-driven tissue remodeling;
• Degradation products, ion release (e.g., Mg-based materials), and metabolic/cellular stress responses;
• Bioactive and antimicrobial coatings; controlled release and interface therapeutics;
• Advanced in vitro/ex vivo models (organoids, co-cultures, microphysiological systems) and in vivo validation;
• Quantitative and spatial methods (omics, spatial biology, high-content imaging, digital histology/histomorphometry);
• Standardization, reproducibility, and mechanistic readouts for biomaterial evaluation.

We look forward to receiving your contributions.

Dr. Mike Barbeck
Prof. Dr. Xin Xiong
Dr. Korzinskas Tadas
Prof. Dr. Stevo Najman
Guest Editors

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-anonymized peer-review process. A guide for authors and other relevant information for submission of manuscripts is available on the Instructions for Authors page. Biomolecules 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 2700 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.

• biomaterials
• cell–material interface
• mechanotransduction
• integrin signaling
• protein corona
• immune response
• macrophage polarization
• foreign body reaction
• degradation
• bioactive coatings
• tissue regeneration
• fibrosis
• angiogenesis
• multi-omics
• quantitative histology