Functional Polymer Materials and Coatings for Next-Generation Biomedical Applications

Dear Colleagues,

Functional materials represent one of the most dynamic and rapidly evolving areas of contemporary science, driving significant advances across materials engineering and biotechnology. Among these materials, functional polymers stand out due to their remarkable versatility, as they can be rationally designed to exhibit tailored physicochemical properties while actively interacting with biological systems. From the early stages of molecular design, these materials can be engineered to respond to specific stimuli—such as pH, temperature, light, or biochemical signals—enabling precise control over their behavior in complex biological environments. In this context, polymeric systems can also be structured to mimic extracellular matrices, promoting cell recognition, adhesion, and growth.

Polymer coatings, in particular, play a critical role in the functionalization of biomedical surfaces and devices, including implants, prostheses, catheters, and medical instruments. A major challenge in this field concerns achieving optimal biocompatibility while minimizing adverse biological responses. Advanced polymer coatings are therefore being developed to reduce protein adsorption, prevent bacterial adhesion and biofilm formation, and ultimately lower the risk of infection and device failure.

Beyond their protective function, next-generation polymer coatings are increasingly designed as active interfaces capable of guiding cellular and biomolecular interactions through finely tuned chemical and physical cues. These systems often operate at the micro- and nanoscales, where surface properties critically influence biological outcomes. The development of such sophisticated materials requires a multidisciplinary approach, integrating expertise from materials science, chemistry, engineering, biology, and medicine.

This Special Issue aims to present and disseminate the most recent advances in the design, synthesis, characterization, and application of functional polymer materials and coatings for next-generation biomedical technologies. We particularly welcome contributions that explore smart, stimuli-responsive, and bioactive polymer systems capable of interacting with complex biological environments.

The scope includes, but is not limited to, the development of polymer coatings that enhance biocompatibility, prevent biofilm formation, and modulate cellular responses, as well as innovative approaches integrating nanotechnology, surface engineering, and multiscale modeling. Contributions addressing translational challenges, including in vitro and in vivo performance, clinical relevance, and regulatory considerations, are strongly encouraged.

Topics of interest for publication include, but are not limited to, the following:

• Next-generation multifunctional and stimuli-responsive polymer coatings for dynamic interaction with complex biological environments.
• Anti-infective and biointerface-engineered coatings, including antifouling, antibacterial, and anti-biofilm strategies for enhanced clinical performance.
• Bioinspired and biomimetic polymer interfaces for tissue engineering and precise modulation of cell–material interactions.
• Nanostructured and hybrid polymer coatings for advanced therapeutic functionalities, including controlled and targeted drug delivery.
• Structure–property–performance relationships among polymer coatings, encompassing mechanical integrity, corrosion resistance, degradation, and long-term stability under physiological conditions.
• Advanced characterization, multiscale modeling, and translational pathways of polymer coatings, from fundamental design principles to clinical implementation.

Dr. Genoveva Hernández Padrón
Dr. Laura Susana Acosta-Torres
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-blind peer-review process. A guide for authors and other relevant information for submission of manuscripts is available on the Instructions for Authors page. Coatings 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.

• coatings
• polymers
• biopolymers
• medical applications