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Translational Biomedical Devices and Biomaterials: Bridging Biology, Engineering and Medicine
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Translational Biomedical Devices and Biomaterials: Bridging Biology, Engineering and Medicine

A special issue of Journal of Functional Biomaterials (ISSN 2079-4983). This special issue belongs to the section "Biomaterials and Devices for Healthcare Applications".

Deadline for manuscript submissions: 30 November 2026 | Viewed by 2755

Editors

Dr. Tea Romasco

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Guest Editor
Department of Medical, Oral and Biotechnological Sciences, “G. D’Annunzio” University of Chieti-Pescara, 66100 Chieti, Italy
Interests: regenerative medicine; dental implants; biomaterials; bone regeneration; dental biology; medical device; biomechanical analysis; stem cells and tissue regeneration; collagen type I
Dr. Carlos Fernando Mourão

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Guest Editor
Department of Basic and Clinical Translational Sciences, Tufts University School of Dental Medicine, Boston, MA 02111, USA
Interests: membranes/barriers; blood-derived growth factors; guide bone regeneration; soft tissue regeneration; biomaterials; regenerative medicine; drug delivery systems
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

This Special Issue aims to showcase innovative advances in the design, modeling, validation, and clinical translation of biomedical materials and devices through multiscale and interdisciplinary approaches. We welcome contributions that integrate experimental, computational, and clinical methods to deepen understanding of material–biological interactions, improve device performance, and accelerate translation into clinical practice.

Submissions addressing biomaterial design principles, biocompatibility, and performance assessment across in vitro, ex vivo, and in vivo models are highly encouraged. Studies built on collaborative frameworks that bring together biology, engineering, materials science, and medicine to address complex healthcare challenges are particularly welcome. Manuscripts may include experimental research, modeling, and clinical validation reports that support reproducibility, scalability, and real-world application of biomedical innovations.

Within the expanding literature on translational biomaterials and biomedical engineering, this Special Issue seeks to connect basic science and applied research. By emphasizing interdisciplinary progress, it aims to promote knowledge sharing across fields, support transparency in methods, and guide the development of next-generation biomaterials and devices to achieve better diagnostic, therapeutic, and regenerative outcomes.

Dr. Tea Romasco
Dr. Carlos Fernando Mourão
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. 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
  • biomedical devices
  • tissue regeneration
  • regenerative medicine
  • tissue engineering
  • biocompatibility
  • clinical translation
  • interdisciplinary research
  • validation and performance evaluation

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Published Papers (4 papers)

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Research

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10 pages, 1115 KB  
Communication
Hydrogel-Dependent Angiogenic Sprouting in the Ex Vivo Aortic Ring Assay: A Comparative Functional Approach for Biomaterial Evaluation
by Lisa Götz, Leyla Dogan, Philipp Wörsdörfer, Nathaly A. Chicaiza-Cabezas, Süleyman Ergün, Jürgen Groll and Florian Kleefeldt
J. Funct. Biomater. 2026, 17(9), 425; https://doi.org/10.3390/jfb17090425 - 24 Aug 2026
Abstract
Insufficient vascularization remains a major limitation in tissue engineering, restricting the survival and maturation of larger bioengineered constructs. While candidate hydrogels are commonly characterized with regard to physicochemical properties, gelation behavior, mechanical performance, and cytocompatibility, simple functional assays that assess their capacity to [...] Read more.
Insufficient vascularization remains a major limitation in tissue engineering, restricting the survival and maturation of larger bioengineered constructs. While candidate hydrogels are commonly characterized with regard to physicochemical properties, gelation behavior, mechanical performance, and cytocompatibility, simple functional assays that assess their capacity to support vascular sprouting are less frequently integrated into early-stage biomaterial evaluation. Here, we investigated the established ex vivo aortic ring assay (ARA) as an exploratory functional approach for the initial comparison of selected hydrogel formulations. Murine aortic rings were embedded in collagen I (Col I), alginate (Alg), or gelatin methacryloyl (GelMA) and cultured under control conditions or with vascular endothelial growth factor A (VEGF-A) stimulation. These hydrogels were intentionally selected as a proof-of-concept panel of representative, non-equivalent material classes with distinct expected cell-interactive properties. After five days, Col I supported robust capillary-like outgrowth that was further enhanced by VEGF-A, whereas the tested GelMA formulation supported only limited cellular migration and the tested unmodified Alg formulation showed no detectable sprouting under the conditions examined. Cluster of differentiation 31 (CD31) immunostaining supported the presence of an endothelial component within the Col I-supported sprouting structures. These findings demonstrate that the ARA can detect pronounced formulation-dependent differences among the specific hydrogels tested using straightforward morphological and immunostaining readouts. Within the scope of the formulations tested, these findings support the ARA as a complementary functional readout alongside conventional biomaterial characterization before more complex tissue engineering or biofabrication studies are performed. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Translational Biomedical Devices and Biomaterials: Bridging Biology, Engineering and Medicine)
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14 pages, 824 KB  
Article
Therapeutic Magnetic Resonance (TMR) in Regenerative Medicine: In Vitro Study to Support Future Clinical Applications
by Micaela Berni, Laura Caliogna, Elisa Lenta, Gloria Acquafredda, Chiara Valsecchi, Stefania Croce, Sara Bozzini, Patrizia Comoli, Mario Mosconi, Gianluigi Pasta, Maria Antonietta Avanzini and Mirko Belliato
J. Funct. Biomater. 2026, 17(8), 356; https://doi.org/10.3390/jfb17080356 - 24 Jul 2026
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Abstract
This in vitro study investigates the effects of therapeutic magnetic resonance (TMR®), a novel biophysical stimulation technology, on mesenchymal stromal cells (MSCs) to support its potential application in regenerative medicine. The role of pulsed electromagnetic fields in bone healing is already [...] Read more.
This in vitro study investigates the effects of therapeutic magnetic resonance (TMR®), a novel biophysical stimulation technology, on mesenchymal stromal cells (MSCs) to support its potential application in regenerative medicine. The role of pulsed electromagnetic fields in bone healing is already established. We evaluated whether TMR® influences MSC proliferation, differentiation, and immunomodulatory properties in vitro. Bone marrow-derived MSCs (BM-MSCs) and adipose-derived MSCs (AD-MSCs) were cultured with or without TMR® exposure and assessed through flow cytometry, karyotype analysis, senescence assays, proliferation tests, gene expression analysis, and osteogenic differentiation assays. TMR® did not alter MSC phenotype, proliferation, senescence, or genomic stability, confirming its safety profile. Notably, treated MSCs showed enhanced osteogenic differentiation, with increased early expression of key osteogenic markers (RUNX2, ALP, and COL1A1) and greater collagen deposition compared to untreated controls. TMR® reduced peripheral blood mononuclear cell proliferation and MSC ROS production, suggesting anti-inflammatory and antioxidative effects. Overall, TMR® appears to be a safe, non-invasive stimulus able to promote osteogenic differentiation, supporting its potential clinical application in bone regeneration. Further in vitro studies and clinical trials are needed to confirm these findings. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Translational Biomedical Devices and Biomaterials: Bridging Biology, Engineering and Medicine)
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24 pages, 4530 KB  
Article
Granulate-to-Filament: An Extrusion-Mixed PLA–Human Bone Material System for 3D-Printed Bone Scaffolds
by Jonas Neijhoft, Hela Weslati, Volker Eras, Jan Brune, Maximilian Leiblein, Santiago Bianconi, Nicolas Söhling, Lewin Busse, René Verboket, Johannes Frank, Ingo Marzi and Dirk Henrich
J. Funct. Biomater. 2026, 17(4), 187; https://doi.org/10.3390/jfb17040187 - 11 Apr 2026
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Abstract
Fused filament fabrication (FFF) enables patient-specific scaffolds for critical-size bone defects, but most filaments are bioinert and difficult to functionalize at high particulate loadings due to segregation, agglomeration, clogging, and diameter instability. We developed a mechanism-guided extrusion toolkit to stabilize polylactic acid (PLA) [...] Read more.
Fused filament fabrication (FFF) enables patient-specific scaffolds for critical-size bone defects, but most filaments are bioinert and difficult to functionalize at high particulate loadings due to segregation, agglomeration, clogging, and diameter instability. We developed a mechanism-guided extrusion toolkit to stabilize polylactic acid (PLA) filaments containing human demineralized bone matrix (DBM) or cortical granulate (CG) up to 70 wt%. PLA was ground, dried, silicone pre-coated, and compounded with DBM or CG (25/40/70 wt%) using starve-fed extrusion, sequential extrusion, and post-die mixing to maintain stable diameters. FFF produced disks and tubes. MSC adhesion was assessed by SEM. qPCR (control vs. osteogenic medium) quantified RUNX2, ALP, BGLAP, COL1A, VEGF, IL-6, MAPK8. Tubes underwent three-point bending. The toolkit yielded printable, dimensionally stable filaments at 25–70 wt% with uniform dispersion and surface-exposed filler. Both composites increased early mesenchymal stromal cells (MSC) adhesion versus PLA. RUNX2 was increased on DBM40 versus PLA. VEGF was elevated on CG25 (DBM40 trend). Under osteogenic medium, IL-6 and MAPK8 were generally reduced. Mechanics were loading-dependent: CG25 exceeded CG70 and DBM25, while DBM40/70 recovered stiffness versus DBM25. A mechanism-guided extrusion toolkit enables high-loading PLA–DBM/CG filaments with excellent printability and material-specific biological and mechanical advantages over PLA. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Translational Biomedical Devices and Biomaterials: Bridging Biology, Engineering and Medicine)
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Review

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19 pages, 1106 KB  
Review
Vascularized Flaps as Living Bioreactors in Bone Tissue Engineering: From Biological Principles to Translational Strategies—A Narrative Review
by Fabiana Battaglia, Michele Rosario Colonna, Emanuele Cigna, Michele Maruccia and Gabriele Delia
J. Funct. Biomater. 2026, 17(6), 270; https://doi.org/10.3390/jfb17060270 - 1 Jun 2026
Viewed by 528
Abstract
Background: Large segmental bone defects remain a major challenge in reconstructive surgery, particularly in the presence of impaired vascularization. Despite advances in scaffold design and biomaterials, insufficient vascular supply continues to represent the primary limitation in bone tissue engineering, often leading to impaired [...] Read more.
Background: Large segmental bone defects remain a major challenge in reconstructive surgery, particularly in the presence of impaired vascularization. Despite advances in scaffold design and biomaterials, insufficient vascular supply continues to represent the primary limitation in bone tissue engineering, often leading to impaired osteogenesis and graft failure. Objective: This review aims to analyze the role of vascularized flaps as “living bioreactors” in bone tissue engineering, focusing on their capacity to enhance scaffold vascularization, support osteogenesis, and facilitate clinical translation. Methods: A narrative review was conducted through a structured search of PubMed, Scopus, and Web of Science using combinations of the following keywords: “bone tissue engineering”, “vascularized flaps”, “arteriovenous loop”, and “in vivo bioreactor”. Relevant preclinical and clinical studies were selected based on their contribution to vascularization strategies in scaffold-based bone regeneration, with the aim of illustrating the evolution and integration of these approaches. Results: Vascularized flaps provide an established vascular network and a biologically active microenvironment that promote scaffold integration and tissue regeneration. Periosteal flaps demonstrate strong osteogenic potential, whereas muscle and omental flaps primarily act as vascular carriers and adaptable regenerative environments. AV loop-based strategies enable intrinsic axial vascularization, ensuring rapid and homogeneous perfusion of large constructs. Hybrid approaches, including regenerative matching axial vascularization (RMAV), integrate vascularized tissues with advanced biomaterials and show promising translational outcomes. Conclusions: Vascularization-driven strategies represent a paradigm shift in bone tissue engineering, moving from passive scaffold implantation to actively engineered, vascularized constructs. The integration of microsurgical techniques with advanced biomaterials offers significant potential for the development of personalized and clinically applicable bone regeneration strategies. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Translational Biomedical Devices and Biomaterials: Bridging Biology, Engineering and Medicine)
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