Surface Coating, Functionalization, and Characterization of Cell- and Tissue-Based Biomaterials
A special issue of Coatings (ISSN 2079-6412). This special issue belongs to the section "Surface Coatings for Biomedicine and Bioengineering".
Deadline for manuscript submissions: 10 May 2026
Special Issue Editor
Interests: tissue engineering; regenerative medicine; human cell- and tissue-based products; exosomes; gene therapy; growth factor conjugation; decellularization; cross-linking; hydrogels
Special Issue Information
Dear Colleagues,
The advancement of biomaterials designed to interact seamlessly with cells and tissues remains a cornerstone of progress in regenerative medicine, tissue engineering, and biomedical devices. Among the key factors influencing the performance of these materials are their surface properties, which significantly impact biological responses, including protein adsorption, cell adhesion, proliferation, differentiation, and immune compatibility.
Surface coating and functionalization—techniques that modify the outermost layer of biomaterials—have emerged as powerful strategies to precisely control cell–material interactions. These approaches allow researchers to fine-tune the biological, chemical, and physical characteristics of biomaterials without altering their bulk properties, thereby enhancing their integration and functionality within complex biological systems.
This Special Issue aims to highlight state-of-the-art research and comprehensive reviews on the design, modification, and advanced characterization of biomaterial surfaces intended for cell and tissue applications. We particularly welcome studies that explore innovative strategies to enhance bioactivity, biocompatibility, and targeted cellular responses, as well as novel analytical methods that elucidate surface–cell interactions at the molecular and nanoscale levels.
Topics of interest include, but are not limited to, the following:
- Surface coating and/or functionalization strategies to enhance cell adhesion, proliferation, and differentiation.
- Bioactive and bioinspired coatings for tissue regeneration.
- Functional coatings incorporating growth factors, peptides, or signaling molecules.
- Surface modifications using natural or synthetic polymers for improved biocompatibility.
- Nano- and micro-patterned surfaces for guiding cellular behavior.
- Advanced characterization techniques for analyzing surface chemistry, topography, wettability, and mechanical properties.
- In vitro and in vivo responses of cells and tissues to surface-modified biomaterials.
- Degradation behavior and long-term stability of functionalized biomaterials.
We invite contributions from researchers across materials science, bioengineering, biomedical sciences, and related disciplines who are developing innovative approaches in order to advance the next generation of cell- and tissue-interfacing biomaterials.
We look forward to receiving your valuable submissions.
Dr. Jason K. Lee
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 100 words) can be sent to the Editorial Office for announcement on this website.
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.
Keywords
- biomaterial surface modification
- cell–material interactions
- functional coatings
- tissue engineering
- biointerface characterization
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