Biomaterials for Nerve Repair and Regeneration: Spearheading Translational Impacts in Nerve Injury
A special issue of Journal of Functional Biomaterials (ISSN 2079-4983). This special issue belongs to the section "Biomaterials for Tissue Engineering and Regenerative Medicine".
Deadline for manuscript submissions: 31 January 2026 | Viewed by 1
Special Issue Editor
2. Laboratory for Peripheral Neuroregenerative Biotherapeutics, Duke Nerve Center, Durham, NC 27710, USA
3. Division of Hand, Upper Extremity, and Microvascular Surgery, Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, Duke University Medical Center, Durham, NC 27710, USA
Interests: peripheral nerves; peripheral nerve injuries; nerves, peripheral-surgery; brachial plexus; brachial plexus neuritis; brachial plexus neuropathies; brachial plexus-surgery
Special Issue Information
Dear Colleagues,
The field of nerve injury research has seen progressive improvement over the last several decades. We have advanced surgical techniques through microsurgical principles and developed a greater understanding of nerve topography and regeneration principles, as well as concepts that have driven success in nerve reconstructions and nerve transfers. Alongside these technical and conceptual advances, the use of biomaterials has opened up new opportunities to support, bridge, and assist in reconstruction during nerve surgeries. Commercialized materials used for these applications include silicone, polyglycolic acid, polycaprolactone, collagen, small intestine submucosa, chitosan, and decellularized nerve allografts. However, despite these surgical and material advances, outcomes in recovery from nerve injury and surgery remain poor, with less than half of patients experiencing a functional recovery. To enhance these outcomes and improve current standards, researchers around the world are working to develop materials with novel mechanisms to enhance both the technical aspects of nerve surgery and the regenerative microenvironment to facilitate meaningful recovery. With this in mind, we invite you to submit your work within the field of nerve regeneration, focusing on materials that are currently poised to have a translational impact and including rigorous pre-clinical studies. This Special Issue will bring together cutting-edge research showcasing innovative mechanisms, material designs, preclinical models, and outcome assessments, to serve as a comprehensive resource for those working toward clinical translation. We look forward to receiving your submissions.
Dr. Neill Yun Li
Guest Editor
Manuscript Submission Information
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Keywords
- nerve injuries
- nerve surgery
- nerve repair and regeneration
- nerve reconstructions
- nerve transfers
- biomaterials
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