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Advanced Biomaterials for Bone Tissue Engineering
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Advanced Biomaterials for Bone Tissue Engineering

A special issue of Journal of Functional Biomaterials (ISSN 2079-4983). This special issue belongs to the section "Bone Biomaterials".

Deadline for manuscript submissions: 31 January 2026 | Viewed by 2580

Special Issue Editor

Dr. Xueqin Gao

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
Linda and Mitch Hart Center for Regenerative and Personalized Medicine, Steadman Philippon Research Institute, 181 W Meadow Dr, Suite 1000, Vail, CO, USA
Interests: stem cells; growth factor; biomaterials; bone tissue engineering; bone biology; cartilage tissue engineering and biology; gene therapy
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

The musculoskeletal system is vital for the movement of the human body. Non-union fractures and segmental bone defects are challenging conditions to treat in orthopedic surgery. Osteoporosis further increases the risk of fracture in older populations. Non-union fractures and segmental bone defects significantly affect patients’ quality of life and can even cause disability. Significant advancements have been achieved over the last two decades in using biomaterials to deliver stem cells, gene vectors, and functional molecules, including proteins and small molecules, for bone regeneration; however, few of these techniques have translated into new therapies in clinical practice for non-union fractures or segmental bone defects.

Therefore, the goal of this Special Issue is to unite multidisciplinary research scholars and publish research and review articles that demonstrate the recent advances in biomaterials and bone tissue engineering and repair. These include the use of biomaterials to deliver functional molecules, stem cells, exosomes, and gene expression vectors, including mRNA and 3D-printing technology, to promote bone repair. The ultimate goal is to promote new research and develop new therapies for treating bone defects.

Topics for this Special Issue include, but are not limited to, the following:

  • Sustained-release biomaterials or scaffolds to deliver growth factors for bone tissue engineering;
  • Biomaterials to deliver small molecules for bone tissue engineering;
  • Biomaterials to deliver stem cells for bone repair;
  • Biomaterials for the delivery of exosomes for bone repair;
  • Biomaterials to deliver functional genes for bone repair;
  • Three-dimensional printing of biomaterials for bone tissue engineering.

We look forward to receiving your submissions to advance research in this vital field of study.

Dr. Xueqin Gao
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. Journal of Functional Biomaterials 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.

Keywords

  • biomaterials
  • bone defect
  • sustained-release biomaterials
  • biomaterials for drug delivery
  • mRNA therapeutics
  • exosomes and extracellular vesicles
  • biomaterials for fracture repair

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Published Papers (4 papers)

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Research

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17 pages, 23065 KiB  
Article
The Influence of Ca on Mechanical Properties of the Mg–Ca–Zn–RE–Zr Alloy for Orthopedic Applications
by Mircea Cătălin Ivănescu, Corneliu Munteanu, Ramona Cimpoeșu, Bogdan Istrate, Fabian Cezar Lupu, Marcelin Benchea, Eusebiu Viorel Șindilar, Alexandru Vlasa, Ovidiu Stamatin and Georgeta Zegan
J. Funct. Biomater. 2025, 16(5), 170; https://doi.org/10.3390/jfb16050170 - 9 May 2025
Viewed by 262
Abstract
Background: This study examined how the concentration of calcium (Ca) influences the microstructure, mechanical characteristics, and tribological attributes of Mg–Ca–Zn–RE–Zr alloys for orthopedic medicine. Materials and methods: Experimental alloys with 0.1 and 0.5 wt% Ca were prepared in a controlled atmosphere induction furnace. [...] Read more.
Background: This study examined how the concentration of calcium (Ca) influences the microstructure, mechanical characteristics, and tribological attributes of Mg–Ca–Zn–RE–Zr alloys for orthopedic medicine. Materials and methods: Experimental alloys with 0.1 and 0.5 wt% Ca were prepared in a controlled atmosphere induction furnace. The microstructure of the alloys was investigated by scanning electron microscopy, the chemical composition by X-ray fluorescence and energy-dispersive spectroscopy, the mechanical properties by indentation and scratching, and the corrosion resistance by linear and cyclic potentiometry. Results: The alloy with 0.1% Ca exhibited greater fluctuations in the coefficient of friction, while the sample with 0.5% Ca showed a higher susceptibility to cracking. Regarding corrosion resistance, both samples exhibited a generalized corrosion trend with similar corrosion currents. At lower Ca concentrations (0.1%), the refined microstructure of the alloys provided an elastic modulus closer to that of human bone, minimizing the risk of excessive local stress and promoting uniform load distribution at the bone-implant interface. Conclusion: The 0.5% Ca alloy offered superior tribological stability and better shock absorption, making it suitable for applications requiring long-term stability. The study highlighted the potential of both compositions based on the specific requirements of biodegradable orthopedic implants. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Advanced Biomaterials for Bone Tissue Engineering)
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16 pages, 4410 KiB  
Article
Tomographic Assessment of Bone Regeneration in Osteochondral Lesion Treated with Various Biomaterials in a Sheep Model Study
by Taulant Goga, Bledar Goxha, Alberto Maria Crovace, Mario Cinone, Luca Lacitignola, Marta Guadalupi and Erinda Lika
J. Funct. Biomater. 2025, 16(4), 120; https://doi.org/10.3390/jfb16040120 - 1 Apr 2025
Viewed by 529
Abstract
Osteochondral defects, involving both articular cartilage and subchondral bone, pose significant challenges to joint function and health due to the lack of spontaneous healing and the risk of long-term degenerative diseases like osteoarthritis. Biomaterials have emerged as important components in the development of [...] Read more.
Osteochondral defects, involving both articular cartilage and subchondral bone, pose significant challenges to joint function and health due to the lack of spontaneous healing and the risk of long-term degenerative diseases like osteoarthritis. Biomaterials have emerged as important components in the development of scaffolds, providing structural support that facilitates tissue growth, integration, and regeneration. This study aims to demonstrate the effectiveness of a tomographic assessment method for optimizing the evaluation of osteochondral regeneration, particularly using Hounsfield units, to enable the evaluation of scaffold integration and tissue regeneration. The sheep model was selected as a model study. Two distinct configurations of biomaterials were utilized in this study: Honey (HMG—Mg doped hydroxyapatite; HWS—wollastonite–hydroxyapatite) and Bi-layer (BWS—wollastonite–hydroxyapatite). The HMG scaffold demonstrated superior integration, reparative tissue quality, and regeneration potential compared to the HWS, BWS, and CTRL groups. The findings underscore the significance of CT assessment as a preliminary method for evaluating hard tissue, such as bone, employing Hounsfield units. Statistical evaluations validated the significant differences in performance, particularly favoring the HMG group. The results of this study underscore the importance of tomographic assessment in evaluation of osteochondral regeneration. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Advanced Biomaterials for Bone Tissue Engineering)
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Review

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15 pages, 602 KiB  
Review
Advances in Synthetic Polymer Membranes for Guided Bone Regeneration in Dental Implants: A Scoping Review
by Belén Lima-Sánchez, María Baus-Domínguez, María-Angeles Serrera-Figallo and Daniel Torres-Lagares
J. Funct. Biomater. 2025, 16(5), 149; https://doi.org/10.3390/jfb16050149 - 22 Apr 2025
Viewed by 512
Abstract
Background: Different approaches are proposed for bone volume gain in the case of atrophic alveolar ridges, with guided bone regeneration (GBR) and guided tissue regeneration (GTR) being the most used techniques. These techniques require the placement of barrier membranes, which is the main [...] Read more.
Background: Different approaches are proposed for bone volume gain in the case of atrophic alveolar ridges, with guided bone regeneration (GBR) and guided tissue regeneration (GTR) being the most used techniques. These techniques require the placement of barrier membranes, which is the main element of the bone growth strategy, among which there is a wide range depending on their origin or degradation. This literature review aims to provide an update on the latest advances in polymeric membranes of synthetic origin currently used in bone regeneration. Materials and Methods: Two bibliographic searches were carried out in the PubMed (MEDLINE) and Scopus databases using a search strategy in which inclusion and exclusion criteria were applied. Results: For the selection of articles, the PRISMA guide flow chart was followed, and after a selection process, 11 articles were analyzed based on the characteristics of the marketed membranes and the results obtained after their use. Conclusions: It can be concluded that polymeric membranes play a fundamental role in guided bone regeneration, providing an effective barrier that facilitates bone growth and improves the success of dental implantology treatments. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Advanced Biomaterials for Bone Tissue Engineering)
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Other

Jump to: Research, Review

17 pages, 1391 KiB  
Systematic Review
Autologous and Heterologous Minor and Major Bone Regeneration with Platelet-Derived Growth Factors
by Gianna Dipalma, Angelo Michele Inchingolo, Valeria Colonna, Pierluigi Marotti, Claudio Carone, Laura Ferrante, Francesco Inchingolo, Andrea Palermo and Alessio Danilo Inchingolo
J. Funct. Biomater. 2025, 16(1), 16; https://doi.org/10.3390/jfb16010016 - 9 Jan 2025
Cited by 1 | Viewed by 1043
Abstract
Aim: This review aims to explore the clinical applications, biological mechanisms, and potential benefits of concentrated growth factors (CGFs), autologous materials, and xenografts in bone regeneration, particularly in dental treatments such as alveolar ridge preservation, mandibular osteonecrosis, and peri-implantitis. Materials and Methods. A [...] Read more.
Aim: This review aims to explore the clinical applications, biological mechanisms, and potential benefits of concentrated growth factors (CGFs), autologous materials, and xenografts in bone regeneration, particularly in dental treatments such as alveolar ridge preservation, mandibular osteonecrosis, and peri-implantitis. Materials and Methods. A systematic literature search was conducted using databases like PubMed, Scopus, and Web of Science, with keywords such as “bone regeneration” and “CGF” from 2014 to 2024. Only English-language clinical studies involving human subjects were included. A total of 10 studies were selected for qualitative analysis. Data were processed through multiple stages, including title and abstract screening and full-text evaluation. Conclusion: The findings of the reviewed studies underscore the potential of the CGF in enhancing bone regeneration through stimulating cell proliferation, angiogenesis, and extracellular matrix mineralization. Autologous materials have also demonstrated promising results due to their biocompatibility and capacity for seamless integration with natural bone tissue. When combined with xenografts, these materials show synergistic effects in improving bone quantity and quality, which are crucial for dental implant success. Future research should focus on direct comparisons of different techniques, the optimization of protocols, and broader applications beyond dental medicine. The integration of CGFs and autologous materials into routine clinical practice represents a significant advancement in regenerative dental medicine, with the potential for improved patient outcomes and satisfaction. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Advanced Biomaterials for Bone Tissue Engineering)
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