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Active Biomedical Materials and Their Applications, 2nd Edition
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Active Biomedical Materials and Their Applications, 2nd Edition

A special issue of Journal of Functional Biomaterials (ISSN 2079-4983).

Deadline for manuscript submissions: 31 August 2025 | Viewed by 6808

Special Issue Editor

Dr. Christie Ying Kei Lung

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
Restorative Dental Sciences, Faculty of Dentistry, University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, China
Interests: bioactive materials; ceramics; polymers; metals; materials characterization; coatings; nanotechnology; antimicrobial agents; resin composites
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

Active biomedical materials are designed to interact with biological systems for therapeutic purposes. These materials have various applications, such as in tissue regeneration and repair, implant fixtures, controlled drug delivery, and antimicrobial agents. Synthetic or natural active biomedical materials, such as metals and their alloys, ceramics, composites, and polymers, are used for these purposes. The synthesis and fabrication of active biomedical materials require the use of different methods and technologies.

This Special Issue, "Active Biomedical Materials and Their Applications, 2nd Edition" will continue our focus on the importance of biomedical materials in dentistry and medicine. Its scope covers, but is not limited to, the following topics:

  1. Synthesis and characterization of biomedical materials;
  2. Biomedical materials in tissue regeneration and repair;
  3. Biomedical materials with antimicrobial properties;
  4. Biocompatibility assessments in biomedical materials;
  5. Biomedical materials in dental and medical applications.

We aim to publish articles on current and new active biomedical materials used in healthcare applications. It is our pleasure to invite you to contribute original research articles, communications, or review articles for consideration for the 2nd Edition of this Special Issue.

Dr. Christie Ying Kei Lung
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

  • biomedical materials
  • tissue regeneration and repair
  • antimicrobial
  • drug delivery
  • material synthesis
  • material characterization
  • biocompatibility

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Further information on MDPI's Special Issue policies can be found here.

Related Special Issue

Published Papers (5 papers)

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Research

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18 pages, 1515 KiB  
Article
Enhancing Professional Periodontal Therapy with a Novel PMA-Zeolite Application: A Clinical Study on Periodontal Outcomes and Microbiological Changes
by Ines Đapić, Andrej Aurer, Jurica Žučko, Marinka Mravak-Stipetić, Marinka Baranović Baričević, Krešimir Pavelić, Fusun Ozer and Sandra Kraljević Pavelić
J. Funct. Biomater. 2025, 16(8), 270; https://doi.org/10.3390/jfb16080270 - 22 Jul 2025
Viewed by 29
Abstract
Periodontitis is a chronic, multifactorial inflammatory disease characterized by the progressive destruction of the periodontal supporting tissues, including alveolar bone, potentially resulting in tooth loss. Etiopathogenesis involves a dysbiotic shift in the subgingival microbiota where the presence of pathogenic species such as Porphyromonas [...] Read more.
Periodontitis is a chronic, multifactorial inflammatory disease characterized by the progressive destruction of the periodontal supporting tissues, including alveolar bone, potentially resulting in tooth loss. Etiopathogenesis involves a dysbiotic shift in the subgingival microbiota where the presence of pathogenic species such as Porphyromonas gingivalis, Aggregatibacter actinomycetemcomitans, and Treponema denticola has been documented. This disbalance is combined with an inadequate host immune response, often exacerbated by other systemic comorbidities including diabetes mellitus and cardiovascular diseases. Conventional therapy typically comprises mechanical debridement and adjunctive local or systemic antimicrobials, but emerging antibiotic resistance highlights a need for alternative adjuvant therapeutic strategies. The present descriptive analysis of microbiome and clinical trends study evaluated the adjuvant effects of a clinoptilolite-based zeolite material, namely PMA-zeolite, with professional prophylaxis on clinical and microbiological parameters in patients with chronic periodontitis over a 10-week period. Clinical assessment revealed significant reductions in bleeding on probing (BoP) and periodontal pocket depth (PD), indicating improved inflammatory status. Microbiome profiling demonstrated a marked decrease in key periodontal pathogens, suggesting that PMA-zeolite can help rebalance the oral microbiome. These findings suggest that the combined therapy exhibits promising anti-inflammatory and antimicrobial properties, indicating its role in promoting microbial homeostasis and reducing periodontal inflammation. However, further investigation through larger, controlled clinical trials is needed to validate the efficacy of the therapy. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Active Biomedical Materials and Their Applications, 2nd Edition)
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13 pages, 9364 KiB  
Article
Prevention of Tooth Discoloration Using Fluoride Varnish Immediately After Bleaching
by Ryotaro Yago, Chiharu Kawamoto, Rafiqul Islam, Hirofumi Kaneko, Monica Yamauti, Masayuki Otsuki, Hidehiko Sano and Atsushi Tomokiyo
J. Funct. Biomater. 2025, 16(7), 245; https://doi.org/10.3390/jfb16070245 - 3 Jul 2025
Viewed by 604
Abstract
Tooth bleaching is a widely used esthetic treatment; however, bleaching agents can temporarily alter the surface morphology of enamel, increasing surface roughness and porosity, which may lead to increased susceptibility to discoloration. This in vitro study investigated the effectiveness of fluoride varnish in [...] Read more.
Tooth bleaching is a widely used esthetic treatment; however, bleaching agents can temporarily alter the surface morphology of enamel, increasing surface roughness and porosity, which may lead to increased susceptibility to discoloration. This in vitro study investigated the effectiveness of fluoride varnish in preventing immediate discoloration of bovine incisors after bleaching. Specimens were bleached with 35% hydrogen peroxide and treated with either Clinpro White Varnish (CW) or Enamelast Fluoride Varnish (EN), whereas control specimens received no treatment after bleaching. The samples were immersed in coffee for 24 h, and the color difference (ΔE00) was calculated using the CIEDE2000 formula. The surface morphology of enamel was examined using SEM. The fluoride varnish groups showed significantly lower color difference values than the control group (p < 0.05), with ΔE00 reduced by approximately two-thirds in both the CW and EN groups. SEM observations showed that the enamel surfaces in the varnish-treated groups exhibited reduced surface irregularities compared to the untreated group, suggesting remineralization. These results suggest that the immediate application of fluoride varnish after bleaching can effectively reduce short-term discoloration by providing physical protection and promoting remineralization. Fluoride varnish may serve as a simple and effective strategy to maintain whitening outcomes and minimize early discoloration. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Active Biomedical Materials and Their Applications, 2nd Edition)
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25 pages, 10472 KiB  
Article
Nanoparticle-Enhanced Collagen Hydrogels for Chronic Wound Management
by Alexandra Cătălina Bîrcă, Mihai Alexandru Minculescu, Adelina-Gabriela Niculescu, Ariana Hudiță, Alina Maria Holban, Adina Alberts and Alexandru Mihai Grumezescu
J. Funct. Biomater. 2025, 16(3), 91; https://doi.org/10.3390/jfb16030091 - 5 Mar 2025
Cited by 9 | Viewed by 2538
Abstract
Chronic wound infections present a persistent medical challenge; however, advancements in wound dressings and antimicrobial nanomaterials offer promising solutions for improving healing outcomes. This study introduces a hydrothermal synthesis approach for producing zinc oxide (ZnO) and copper oxide (CuO) nanoparticles, subsequently incorporated into [...] Read more.
Chronic wound infections present a persistent medical challenge; however, advancements in wound dressings and antimicrobial nanomaterials offer promising solutions for improving healing outcomes. This study introduces a hydrothermal synthesis approach for producing zinc oxide (ZnO) and copper oxide (CuO) nanoparticles, subsequently incorporated into PLGA microspheres and embedded within collagen hydrogels. The nanoparticles’ physicochemical properties were characterized using X-ray diffraction (XRD) to confirm crystalline structure, scanning electron microscopy (SEM) for surface morphology, and Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy (FT-IR) to verify functional groups and successful hydrogel integration. The hydrogels were tested for antimicrobial activity against Staphylococcus aureus, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, and Candida albicans, which are key pathogens in chronic wounds. Biocompatibility was assessed using the human HaCat keratinocyte cell line. Both ZnO- and CuO-loaded hydrogels exhibited broad-spectrum antimicrobial efficacy. Cytocompatibility tests demonstrated that both ZnO- and CuO-loaded hydrogels sustain cell viability and proliferation, highlighting their biocompatibility and suitability for chronic wound healing applications, with superior biological performance of ZnO-loaded hydrogels. Furthermore, the distinct antimicrobial profiles of ZnO and CuO hydrogels suggest their tailored use based on wound microbial composition, with CuO hydrogels excelling in antibacterial applications and ZnO hydrogels showing potential for antifungal treatments. These results underscore the potential of nanoparticle-based collagen hydrogels as innovative therapeutic tools for managing chronic wounds. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Active Biomedical Materials and Their Applications, 2nd Edition)
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16 pages, 5120 KiB  
Article
A Polyurethane Electrospun Membrane Loaded with Bismuth Lipophilic Nanoparticles (BisBAL NPs): Proliferation, Bactericidal, and Antitumor Properties, and Effects on MRSA and Human Breast Cancer Cells
by Jesús Alejandro Torres-Betancourt, Rene Hernández-Delgadillo, Juan Valerio Cauich-Rodríguez, Diego Adrián Oliva-Rico, Juan Manuel Solis-Soto, Claudia María García-Cuellar, Yesennia Sánchez-Pérez, Nayely Pineda-Aguilar, Samantha Flores-Treviño, Irene Meester, Sergio Eduardo Nakagoshi-Cepeda, Katiushka Arevalo-Niño, María Argelia Akemi Nakagoshi-Cepeda and Claudio Cabral-Romero
J. Funct. Biomater. 2024, 15(10), 309; https://doi.org/10.3390/jfb15100309 - 16 Oct 2024
Cited by 2 | Viewed by 1553
Abstract
Electrospun membranes (EMs) have a wide range of applications, including use as local delivery systems. In this study, we manufactured a polyurethane Tecoflex™ EM loaded with bismuth-based lipophilic nanoparticles (Tecoflex™ EMs-BisBAL NPs). The physicochemical and mechanical characteristics, along with the antitumor and bactericidal [...] Read more.
Electrospun membranes (EMs) have a wide range of applications, including use as local delivery systems. In this study, we manufactured a polyurethane Tecoflex™ EM loaded with bismuth-based lipophilic nanoparticles (Tecoflex™ EMs-BisBAL NPs). The physicochemical and mechanical characteristics, along with the antitumor and bactericidal effects, were evaluated using a breast cancer cell line and methicillin-susceptible and resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA). Drug-free Tecoflex™ EMs and Tecoflex™ EMs-BisBAL NPs had similar fiber diameters of 4.65 ± 1.42 µm and 3.95 ± 1.32 µm, respectively. Drug-free Tecoflex™ EMs did not negatively impact a human fibroblast culture, indicating that the vehicle is biocompatible. Tecoflex™ EMs-BisBAL NPs increased 94% more in size than drug-free Tecoflex™ EMs, indicating that the BisBAL NPs enhanced hydration capacity. Tecoflex™ EMs-BisBAL NPs were highly bactericidal against both methicillin-susceptible S. aureus and MRSA clinical isolates, inhibiting their growth by 93.11% and 61.70%, respectively. Additionally, Tecoflex™ EMs-BisBAL NPs decreased the viability of MCF-7 tumor cells by 86% after 24 h exposure and 70.1% within 15 min. Regarding the mechanism of action of Tecoflex™ EMs-BisBAL NPs, it appears to disrupt the tumor cell membrane. In conclusion, Tecoflex™ EMs-BisBAL NPs constitute an innovative low-cost drug delivery system for human breast cancer and postoperative wound infections. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Active Biomedical Materials and Their Applications, 2nd Edition)
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Review

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36 pages, 2739 KiB  
Review
Advanced Bioactive Polymers and Materials for Nerve Repair: Strategies and Mechanistic Insights
by Nidhi Puranik, Shraddha Tiwari, Meenakshi Kumari, Shiv Kumar Yadav, Thakur Dhakal and Minseok Song
J. Funct. Biomater. 2025, 16(7), 255; https://doi.org/10.3390/jfb16070255 - 9 Jul 2025
Viewed by 893
Abstract
Bioactive materials have recently shown potential in nerve repair and regeneration by promoting the growth of new cells, tissue repair, and restoring nerve function. These natural, synthetic, and hybrid materials offer a biomimetic structure, enhance cell attachment, and release bioactive molecules that promote [...] Read more.
Bioactive materials have recently shown potential in nerve repair and regeneration by promoting the growth of new cells, tissue repair, and restoring nerve function. These natural, synthetic, and hybrid materials offer a biomimetic structure, enhance cell attachment, and release bioactive molecules that promote the axonal extension of severed nerves. Scaffold-based preclinical studies have shown promising results on enhancing nerve repair; however, they are limited by the immune response and fabrication, scalability, and cost. Nevertheless, advances in manufacturing, including 3D bioprinting, and other strategies, such as gene editing by CRISPR, will overcome these shortcomings. The opportunity for the development of individualized approaches and specific treatment plans for each patient will also increase the effectiveness of bioactive materials for the treatment of nerve injuries. Combining bioactive materials with the neural interface can develop new reliable therapeutic solutions, particularly for neuroprosthetics. Finally, it is essential to stress a multidisciplinary focus, and future studies are needed to enhance the potential of bioactive materials for patients with nerve injuries and the field of regenerative medicine. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Active Biomedical Materials and Their Applications, 2nd Edition)
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