Scaffold for Tissue Engineering

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 October 2025 | Viewed by 7697

Special Issue Editors

Department of Ophthalmology, National University of Singapore, Singapore 119228, Singapore
Interests: scaffold-based tissue engineering; 3D printing; electrospinning; retinal pigment epithelium; disease modelling; retinal degeneration

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Guest Editor
National University of Singapore (Suzhou) Research Institute, Suzhou, China
Interests: plant proteins; 3D bioprinting; ink materials; fibrous scaffolds; porous scaffold; microbeads; 3D tumor model; edible biomaterials; cultured meat; 3D cell culture

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

Scaffolds for tissue engineering represent an interdisciplinary field at the intersection of materials science, biology, and engineering, aimed at creating supportive structures for tissue growth and regeneration. Tailored designs and biomaterial selection yield biocompatible scaffolds, often shaped using advanced methods like 3D printing and electrospinning. These scaffolds host seeded cells, sometimes cultured in bioreactors to foster tissue formation. This interdisciplinary approach drives advances in regenerative medicine, disease modeling, and innovative food production.

Recognizing the pivotal role of scaffolds in tissue engineering, this Special Issue aims to showcase recent advancements in this field. It seeks innovative strategies in scaffold-based construct design, addressing processing advantages and limitations of functional biomaterials. Contributions in various formats, including full research articles, clinical studies, or review articles, are encouraged and welcomed.

Dr. Hang Liu
Dr. Linzhi Jing
Guest Editors

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Keywords

  • biomaterials
  • tissue engineering
  • advanced and functional materials
  • 3D scaffolds
  • delivery platforms
  • in vitro models
  • biomedical devices
  • cultured meat

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Published Papers (4 papers)

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Research

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19 pages, 5264 KiB  
Article
Fabrication and Characterization of Highly Porous Gyroid Scaffolds Composed of Deproteinized Bone Mineral
by Otoniel Durán Hernández, Vail Baumer, Genesis Marrero, Sreya Karumanchi and David Prawel
J. Funct. Biomater. 2025, 16(4), 119; https://doi.org/10.3390/jfb16040119 - 28 Mar 2025
Cited by 1 | Viewed by 363
Abstract
Current treatment methods for critical bone defects involve the implantation of large bone grafts, which are limited by tissue availability and failure to heal correctly with high complication rates. Bioengineered scaffolds have emerged, which deploy biodegradable, highly osteoconductive materials in porous structures to [...] Read more.
Current treatment methods for critical bone defects involve the implantation of large bone grafts, which are limited by tissue availability and failure to heal correctly with high complication rates. Bioengineered scaffolds have emerged, which deploy biodegradable, highly osteoconductive materials in porous structures to accommodate the high mass transport requirements of large bone defects. Ideal scaffold biomaterials require a balance between strength, composition, and osteoconduction, a balance which has yet to be discovered. Naturally derived materials like deproteinized bovine bone mineral (DBBM) have seen successful clinical use for decades as bone void fillers, but their granular or putty form lacks the interconnected porosity required to treat large defects. Leveraging the clinical success of DBBM, this paper presents the first fabrication of highly porous scaffolds composed of naturally derived, deproteinized bone mineral, for potential use in large bone defects. Ovine bone mineral powder was prepared from fresh ovine bone, fabricated into a photopolymeric slurry and 3D-printed using a photocasting process into 67% porous gyroid scaffolds. Ovine bone mineral composition, surface microstructure, compressive properties, and failure probability were evaluated and compared to gyroid scaffolds composed of tricalcium phosphate. Both scaffold types were similar, with characteristics in the low range of human cancellous bone. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Scaffold for Tissue Engineering)
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22 pages, 3615 KiB  
Article
Fabrication of PVA Coatings Applied to Electrospun PLGA Scaffolds to Prevent Postoperative Adhesions
by Arsalan D. Badaraev, Evgenii V. Plotnikov, Vladislav R. Bukal, Gleb E. Dubinenko, Johannes Frueh, Sven Rutkowski and Sergei I. Tverdokhlebov
J. Funct. Biomater. 2025, 16(2), 57; https://doi.org/10.3390/jfb16020057 - 10 Feb 2025
Cited by 1 | Viewed by 964
Abstract
There is currently a demand for anti-adhesive materials that are capable of preventing the formation of intra-abdominal adhesions. In this study, electrospun poly(lactide-co-glycolide) scaffolds were dip-coated in aqueous solutions of polyvinyl alcohol with concentrations of 3 wt.%, 6 wt.% and 9 wt.% to [...] Read more.
There is currently a demand for anti-adhesive materials that are capable of preventing the formation of intra-abdominal adhesions. In this study, electrospun poly(lactide-co-glycolide) scaffolds were dip-coated in aqueous solutions of polyvinyl alcohol with concentrations of 3 wt.%, 6 wt.% and 9 wt.% to obtain a nontoxic and anti-adhesive biomedical material. The viscosities of the applied 3 wt.%, 6 wt.% and 9 wt.% polyvinyl alcohol solutions were 7.7 mPa∙s, 38.2 mPa∙s and 180.8 mPa∙s, respectively, and increased exponentially. It is shown that increasing the viscosity of the polyvinyl alcohol solution from 6 wt.% to 9 wt.% increases the thickness of the polyvinyl alcohol layer from (3.32 ± 0.97) µm to (8.09 ± 1.43) µm. No pronounced polyvinyl alcohol layer can be observed on samples dip-coated in 3 wt.% PVA solution. Increasing the viscosity of the polyvinyl alcohol solution from 3 wt.% to 9 wt.% increases the mechanical properties of the poly(lactide-co-glycolide) samples by a factor of 1.16–1.45. Cytotoxicity analysis of all samples reveals that none is toxic to 3T3-L1 fibroblast cells. A cell adhesion assay indicates that the anti-adhesion properties increase with increasing viscosity of the polyvinyl alcohol solution and the thickness of the polyvinyl alcohol layer on the poly(lactide-co-glycolide) scaffolds. Fluorescence images of the cells show that as the thickness of the polyvinyl alcohol coating increases, the number of cells decreases, and they do not cover the surface of the samples and form spherical three-dimensional agglomerates. The highest mechanical and anti-adhesion properties are obtained with the poly(lactide-co-glycolide) scaffold sample dip-coated in the 9 wt.% polyvinyl alcohol solution. This is because this sample has the thickest polyvinyl alcohol coating. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Scaffold for Tissue Engineering)
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18 pages, 4850 KiB  
Article
In Vivo Biocompatibility of Synechococcus sp. PCC 7002-Integrated Scaffolds for Skin Regeneration
by Benedikt Fuchs, Sinan Mert, Constanze Kuhlmann, Alexandra Birt, Daniel Hofmann, Paul Severin Wiggenhauser, Riccardo E. Giunta, Myra N. Chavez, Jörg Nickelsen, Thilo Ludwig Schenck and Nicholas Moellhoff
J. Funct. Biomater. 2024, 15(10), 295; https://doi.org/10.3390/jfb15100295 - 3 Oct 2024
Viewed by 1398
Abstract
Cyanobacteria, commonly known as blue-green algae, are prevalent in freshwater systems and have gained interest for their potential in medical applications, particularly in skin regeneration. Among these, Synechococcus sp. strain PCC 7002 stands out because of its rapid proliferation and capacity to be [...] Read more.
Cyanobacteria, commonly known as blue-green algae, are prevalent in freshwater systems and have gained interest for their potential in medical applications, particularly in skin regeneration. Among these, Synechococcus sp. strain PCC 7002 stands out because of its rapid proliferation and capacity to be genetically modified to produce growth factors. This study investigates the safety of Synechococcus sp. PCC 7002 when used in scaffolds for skin regeneration, focusing on systemic inflammatory responses in a murine model. We evaluated the following three groups: scaffolds colonized with genetically engineered bacteria producing hyaluronic acid, scaffolds with wild-type bacteria, and control scaffolds without bacteria. After seven days, we assessed systemic inflammation by measuring changes in cytokine profiles and lymphatic organ sizes. The results showed no significant differences in spleen, thymus, and lymph node weights, indicating a lack of overt systemic toxicity. Blood cytokine analysis revealed elevated levels of IL-6 and IL-1β in scaffolds with bacteria, suggesting a systemic inflammatory response, while TNF-α levels remained unaffected. Proteome profiling identified distinct cytokine patterns associated with bacterial colonization, including elevated inflammatory proteins and products, indicative of acute inflammation. Conversely, control scaffolds exhibited protein profiles suggestive of a rejection response, characterized by increased levels of cytokines involved in T and B cell activation. Our findings suggest that Synechococcus sp. PCC 7002 does not appear to cause significant systemic toxicity, supporting its potential use in biomedical applications. Further research is necessary to explore the long-term effects and clinical implications of these responses. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Scaffold for Tissue Engineering)
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Review

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22 pages, 2501 KiB  
Review
Biomaterial Scaffolds for Periodontal Tissue Engineering
by Huanhuan Chen, Guangying Song, Tianmin Xu, Chenda Meng, Yunfan Zhang, Tianyi Xin, Tingting Yu, Yifan Lin and Bing Han
J. Funct. Biomater. 2024, 15(8), 233; https://doi.org/10.3390/jfb15080233 - 20 Aug 2024
Cited by 12 | Viewed by 4248
Abstract
Advanced periodontitis poses a significant threat to oral health, causing extensive damage and loss of both hard and soft periodontal tissues. While traditional therapies such as scaling and root planing can effectively halt the disease’s progression, they often fail to fully restore the [...] Read more.
Advanced periodontitis poses a significant threat to oral health, causing extensive damage and loss of both hard and soft periodontal tissues. While traditional therapies such as scaling and root planing can effectively halt the disease’s progression, they often fail to fully restore the original architecture and function of periodontal tissues due to the limited capacity for spontaneous regeneration. To address this challenge, periodontal tissue engineering has emerged as a promising approach. This technology centers on the utilization of biomaterial scaffolds, which function as three-dimensional (3D) templates or frameworks, supporting and guiding the regeneration of periodontal tissues, including the periodontal ligament, cementum, alveolar bone, and gingival tissue. These scaffolds mimic the extracellular matrix (ECM) of native periodontal tissues, aiming to foster cell attachment, proliferation, differentiation, and, ultimately, the formation of new, functional periodontal structures. Despite the inherent challenges associated with preclinical testing, the intensification of research on biomaterial scaffolds, coupled with the continuous advancement of fabrication technology, leads us to anticipate a significant expansion in their application for periodontal tissue regeneration. This review comprehensively covers the recent advancements in biomaterial scaffolds engineered specifically for periodontal tissue regeneration, aiming to provide insights into the current state of the field and potential directions for future research. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Scaffold for Tissue Engineering)
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