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Biocompatible Research of Materials in Biomedical Applications
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Biocompatible Research of Materials in Biomedical Applications

A Special Issue of Journal of Functional Biomaterials (ISSN 2079-4983) belonging to the section "Biomaterials and Devices for Healthcare Applications".

Deadline for manuscript submissions: closed (30 April 2026) | Viewed by 8939

Editors

Dr. Mónica Faria

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
Center of Physics and Engineering of Advanced Materials (CeFEMA), Instituto Superior Técnico, Universidade de Lisboa, 1049-001 Lisbon, Portugal
Interests: hemocompatibility; membranes; biomaterials; artificial organs; drug delivery; blood/material interfaces; purification; blood oxygenation
Dr. Rita F. Pires

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
Center of Physics and Engineering of Advanced Materials (CeFEMA), Instituto Superior Técnico, Universidade de Lisboa, 1049-001 Lisbon, Portugal
Interests: mechanochemistry; organic chemistry; dendrimers; green chemistry; polymer modification; membrane synthesis; ultrafiltration
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals
Dr. Elisa Julião Campos

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
Chemical Engineering and Renewable Resources for Sustainability (CEReS), Department of Chemical Engineering, Faculty of Sciences and Technology, University of Coimbra, 3030-790 Coimbra, Portugal
Interests: nanotechnology; biomaterials; corneal diseases; translational research; biotechnology
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals
Dr. Raquel Viveiros

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
LAQV–REQUIMTE, Chemistry Department, NOVA School of Science & Technology, NOVA University of Lisbon, Campus de Caparica, 2829-516 Caparica, Portugal
Interests: green and sustainable chemistry; chemical processes; green process engineering; materials science; rational design; molecular recognition; green process development; green technology and functionalizations for a wide range of applications; sensors; drug delivery; (bio)separation; (bio)purification; catalysis
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

Developing biocompatible materials is fundamental to advancing modern healthcare, particularly in the design and optimization of artificial organs, targeted drug delivery systems, vascular grafts, regenerative medicine, cancer therapies, tissue engineering, and bioimaging or biosensing platforms. These materials play a critical role in improving patient outcomes, minimizing immune responses, and enhancing the integration of medical devices within the human body.

In recent decades, remarkable progress has been made toward creating safer, more efficient, and multifunctional biomaterials. These include polymer, polymer blends and composite materials, advanced membranes, hydrogels, nano-/microfibers, scaffolds, thin films, nano-/microparticles, and capsules—many of which offer enhanced mechanical strength, optimized transport properties, and well-defined morphology. These innovations aim to address persistent biocompatibility challenges that limit the long-term success of medical interventions.

This Special Issue aims to showcase recent advances in the synthesis, characterization, and application of novel biocompatible materials and devices, validated through in vitro, ex vivo, or in vivo studies. Submissions from multidisciplinary and interdisciplinary teams are strongly encouraged to foster meaningful knowledge exchange across diverse scientific fields. Both original research articles and in-depth reviews are welcome, contributing to a comprehensive understanding of the current landscape and future directions in biocompatible material development.

Dr. Mónica Faria
Dr. Rita F. Pires
Dr. Elisa Julião Campos
Dr. Raquel Viveiros
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
  • biotechnology
  • nanocarriers
  • nanomedicine
  • biocompatibility
  • drug delivery
  • theranostics
  • therapeutic molecules
  • bioartificial organs
  • 3D scaffolds and hydrogels

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

Published Papers (4 papers)

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Research

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34 pages, 27318 KB  
Article
Polyethylene Terephthalate Glycol-Modified (PETG) as a Reusable and Biocompatible Substrate for Cell Culture Applications
by Alessia Vita, Federica Tiberio, Diego Sibilia, Martina Salvati, Domiziano Dario Tosi, Lorena Di Pietro, Antonio Alliva, Carlo Mariella, Ornella Parolini and Wanda Lattanzi
J. Funct. Biomater. 2026, 17(7), 336; https://doi.org/10.3390/jfb17070336 - 11 Jul 2026
Viewed by 1039
Abstract
The development of reusable and biocompatible biomaterial-based culture substrates is increasingly relevant for improving sustainability in biomedical research workflows. In this study, polyethylene terephthalate glycol-modified (PETG) was evaluated as a potential alternative to conventional polystyrene (PS) for in vitro cell culture applications. PETG [...] Read more.
The development of reusable and biocompatible biomaterial-based culture substrates is increasingly relevant for improving sustainability in biomedical research workflows. In this study, polyethylene terephthalate glycol-modified (PETG) was evaluated as a potential alternative to conventional polystyrene (PS) for in vitro cell culture applications. PETG substrates were fabricated through laser cutting and tested for their ability to support cell adhesion, viability, proliferation, and lineage-specific differentiation across multiple human cell models, including calvarial mesenchymal stromal cells (CMSCs), bone marrow-derived mesenchymal stromal cells (hBM-MSCs), dermal fibroblasts, LHCN-M2 myoblasts, and SH-SY5Y neuroblastoma cells. Morphological and immunofluorescence analyses demonstrated that PETG supported cell attachment and focal adhesion formation, comparable to standard PS surfaces. Cell viability and proliferation assays confirmed metabolic activity and growth over time. Furthermore, PETG substrates supported osteogenic, adipogenic, myogenic, and neuronal differentiation, as demonstrated by histological staining, myotube formation, neurite outgrowth, and lineage-specific gene expression analyses. Finally, PETG maintained CMSC morphology and metabolic activity after repeated recovery, ethanol/UV treatment, and gelatin re-coating, with comparable results between new substrates and those reused for up to three cycles. These findings support PETG as a biocompatible culture substrate with preliminary short-term reuse potential and possible sustainability benefits for laboratory workflows. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Biocompatible Research of Materials in Biomedical Applications)
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27 pages, 7352 KB  
Article
Cytocompatibility Assessment of L-PBF-Manufactured Zinc–Silver–Copper Alloys for Customized Biodegradable Medical Implants
by Barbara Illing, Jacob Schultheiss, Lukas Schumacher, Evi Kimmerle-Mueller, Ariadne Roehler, Alexander Heiss, Ulrich E. Klotz, Victor O. Okafor, Stefanie Krajewski and Frank Rupp
J. Funct. Biomater. 2026, 17(3), 146; https://doi.org/10.3390/jfb17030146 - 17 Mar 2026
Viewed by 1972
Abstract
Biodegradable zinc (Zn) has attracted increasing interest as a material for temporary implants, primarily due to its moderate degradation kinetics. In recent years, additive manufacturing of Zn alloys using the laser powder bed fusion method (L-PBF) has shown promising results. Compared to as-cast [...] Read more.
Biodegradable zinc (Zn) has attracted increasing interest as a material for temporary implants, primarily due to its moderate degradation kinetics. In recent years, additive manufacturing of Zn alloys using the laser powder bed fusion method (L-PBF) has shown promising results. Compared to as-cast Zn alloys, it offers preferable customized solutions for patient-specific temporary biomedical implants. Due to the novelty of these printed degradable biomaterials and due to reported cytotoxic effects of Zn alloys, this study investigates additively manufactured ZnAgCu, ZnAgCuMn, and ZnAgCuTi alloys, both in as-printed and post-processed conditions, with a focus on L929 and SAOS-2 biocompatibility. In this work, we demonstrate that the increased porosity and therefore larger surface areas compared to polished Zn-alloy samples affect their biocompatibility. Minimal to no cell proliferation was observed on and near the Zn-alloy test plates after 24 h. Undiluted extracts from as-cast Zn and L-PBF-manufactured plates were initially cytotoxic to SAOS-2 cells. However, as passivation proceeded, cytocompatibility was significantly increased from day 3 onward. Zn2+ ion release peaked at 24 h and declined significantly from day 2 to day 10. Compared to the other Zn alloys, ZnAgCuMn exhibited the lowest cytocompatibility. Most intriguingly, 3-month surfaces exhibited reduced cytocompatibility to osteoblasts compared to freshly polished samples. The observed in vitro cytotoxicity motivates further investigation of as-printed and post-processed L-PBF-manufactured Zn alloys, aiming to develop novel surface modification strategies to mitigate the initial ion burst responsible for reduced cytocompatibility and to adjust and tailor the overall degradation kinetics to physiologically tolerable levels tailored to the intended clinical application. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Biocompatible Research of Materials in Biomedical Applications)
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13 pages, 3100 KB  
Article
Biocompatibility Evaluation of Porcine-Derived Collagen Sheets for Clinical Applications: In Vitro Cytotoxicity, In Vivo Sensitization, and Intracutaneous Reactivity Studies
by Tae-Hoon Koo, Jason K. Lee, Shawn P. Grogan and Darryl D. D'Lima
J. Funct. Biomater. 2025, 16(9), 347; https://doi.org/10.3390/jfb16090347 - 15 Sep 2025
Cited by 2 | Viewed by 3287
Abstract
Biocompatibility evaluation of medical devices is essential for ensuring safety, with ISO 10993 series being the standard. However, these tests can be time-consuming and resource-intensive. This study assessed the early-stage biocompatibility of a collagen matrix derived from porcine dermis using three selective ISO [...] Read more.
Biocompatibility evaluation of medical devices is essential for ensuring safety, with ISO 10993 series being the standard. However, these tests can be time-consuming and resource-intensive. This study assessed the early-stage biocompatibility of a collagen matrix derived from porcine dermis using three selective ISO tests: in vitro cytotoxicity, in vivo sensitization, and irritation. Collagen was hydrolyzed, purified from miniature pig skin, and then processed into porous sheets via lyophilization. Extracts were prepared using both polar and non-polar extraction vehicles for biological testing. Cytotoxicity testing with mouse fibroblast cells showed no significant cytotoxic effects, with cell morphology and viability comparable to controls. Sensitization testing in guinea pigs, involving intradermal and topical exposure, revealed no allergic responses. Irritation testing in rabbits showed no signs of irritation. The cytotoxicity test took 3 days, the sensitization test 28 days, and the irritation test 7 days, all of which proved suitable for early biocompatibility screening. These results confirmed that the collagen matrix is non-cytotoxic, non-sensitizing, and non-irritant for a month. The use of these three tests enables early identification of unsafe materials, reducing time, cost, and animal use before advancing to more complex ISO 10993 studies. Therefore, they are appropriate and necessary for early feasibility decisions in medical device development. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Biocompatible Research of Materials in Biomedical Applications)
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Review

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19 pages, 1616 KB  
Review
Porcine Corneal Models as Translational Platforms for Innovative Therapies: Current Insights and Future Directions
by Patrícia Nápoles, Mónica Faria and Elisa Julião Campos
J. Funct. Biomater. 2025, 16(12), 460; https://doi.org/10.3390/jfb16120460 - 9 Dec 2025
Cited by 1 | Viewed by 1470
Abstract
The development of advanced biomaterials for corneal applications requires robust translational platforms that faithfully replicate human characteristics. Porcine corneas are increasingly recognized for ophthalmic research. Their unique combination of anatomical similarity, biomechanical comparability, and accessibility make them highly suitable for preclinical evaluation of [...] Read more.
The development of advanced biomaterials for corneal applications requires robust translational platforms that faithfully replicate human characteristics. Porcine corneas are increasingly recognized for ophthalmic research. Their unique combination of anatomical similarity, biomechanical comparability, and accessibility make them highly suitable for preclinical evaluation of innovative therapies, bridging the gap between preclinical discovery and clinical application. This review outlines the utility of porcine corneal models in validating advanced biomaterials, particularly in ex vivo settings, focusing on current methodologies, while addressing challenges and future directions. We aim to underscore the potential of porcine corneal models to accelerate the translation of next-generation biomaterials into clinically relevant corneal therapies. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Biocompatible Research of Materials in Biomedical Applications)
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