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Biomaterials for Regenerative Medicine: Synthesis, Characterization and Application
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Biomaterials for Regenerative Medicine: Synthesis, Characterization and Application

A special issue of Materials (ISSN 1996-1944). This special issue belongs to the section "Biomaterials".

Deadline for manuscript submissions: 20 July 2026 | Viewed by 4243

Editors

Dr. Katarzyna Klimek

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
Chair and Department of Biochemistry and Biotechnology, Medical University of Lublin, Chodzki 1 Street, 20-059 Lublin, Poland
Interests: cell culture; cell–biomaterial interactions; biocompatibility; hydrogels; polymers; tissue engineering; regenerative medicine; scaffolds
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals
Dr. Julia Higuchi

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor Assistant
Laboratory of Nanostuctures, Institute of High Pressure Physics, Polish Academy of Sciences, Prymasa Tysiaclecia Avenue 98, 01-142 Warsaw, Poland
Interests: nanoparticles; electrospinning; 3D bioprinting; biomaterial characterization
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

We invite you to submit papers on the synthesis and characterization of biomaterials for regenerative medicine (RM). RM and accompanying tissue engineering (TE) are rapidly developing fields that focus, among other matters, on searching for new biomaterials’ compositions that fill or restore the function of the damaged/lost tissues. This Special Issue focuses on ceramic, metal, and polymer biomaterials and their composites, both in micro and nano structural form.

This Special Issue will present new, valuable knowledge about biomaterials fabricated via novel or modified production techniques, which include not only new methods using, e.g., 3D printing, electrospinning, etc., but also conventional methods that have not been combined so far or can obtain biomaterials with new properties. This Special Issue will also to present the detailed physico-chemical, mechanical and biological characterization of biomaterials and their practical applications in regenerative medicine.

In this Special Issue, original research articles and reviews are welcome. Research areas may include (but not limited to) the following: biomaterials with enhanced regenerative activity, biomaterials with antibacterial properties, biomaterials with anticancer properties, and biomaterials for diagnostics.

We look forward to receiving your contributions.

Dr. Katarzyna Klimek
Guest Editor

Dr. Julia Higuchi
Guest Editor Assistant

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. Materials is an international peer-reviewed open access semimonthly 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 2600 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

  • ceramics
  • scaffolds
  • implants
  • polymers
  • metals
  • surface modification
  • electrospinnig
  • 3D printing
  • biomaterial characterization
  • regenerative medicine

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Published Papers (5 papers)

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Research

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14 pages, 4309 KB  
Article
Multifunctional Shape-Memory Polyurethane/MnO2 Composites for Postsurgical Osteosarcoma Adaptive Treatment
by Deju Gao, Yuhan Du, Junjie Deng, Zhengxin Gan, Wei Zhang, Yuxiao Lai and Yuanchi Zhang
Materials 2026, 19(8), 1504; https://doi.org/10.3390/ma19081504 - 9 Apr 2026
Viewed by 674
Abstract
Treatment of postsurgical osteosarcoma remains one of the major challenges in orthopedic clinics. Conventional implants often fail to address complex pathological issues, including irregular bone defects, residual tumor cells, and delayed bone regeneration. Herein, this study reports a multifunctional shape-memory polyurethane (SMPU)/manganese dioxide [...] Read more.
Treatment of postsurgical osteosarcoma remains one of the major challenges in orthopedic clinics. Conventional implants often fail to address complex pathological issues, including irregular bone defects, residual tumor cells, and delayed bone regeneration. Herein, this study reports a multifunctional shape-memory polyurethane (SMPU)/manganese dioxide (MnO2) composite that provides adaptive support, antitumor activity, and osteogenic bioactivity. SMPU was synthesized by introducing 1,4-butanediol (BDO) and dimethylolpropionic acid (DMPA) as chain extenders at a specific ratio. Commercial MnO2 nanoparticles were incorporated as both a photothermal agent and a bioactive component to achieve multifunctionality. As designed, a coordination system was formed between the polymer chains and MnO2 nanoparticles within the composites. The influence of MnO2 content was systematically investigated. Although increasing MnO2 amounts improved photothermal and mechanical performance, excessive incorporation adversely affected the molecular structure and compromised the composite’s biocompatibility. By adjusting the MnO2 content, the composites were demonstrated to possess robust mechanical performance, good shape-memory behavior, and controllable Mn2+ release. Additionally, the composites exhibited tunable photothermal performance under near-infrared (NIR) irradiation. Furthermore, in vitro studies confirmed that the composites containing 4 wt% MnO2 could eliminate tumor cells via photothermal effects and promote the osteogenic differentiation of human bone marrow-derived mesenchymal stem cells (hBMSCs). Overall, the SMPU/MnO2 composites had superior multifunction for treating irregular bone defects following bone tumor surgery. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Biomaterials for Regenerative Medicine: Synthesis, Characterization and Application)
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18 pages, 14699 KB  
Article
Immunomodulatory Effects of Clinically Used Fat Emulsion to Promote Angiogenesis and Osteogenesis for Bone Repair
by Luyao Cheng, Zetao Wang, Yujie Liu, Yuyang Zhang, Yu Gao, Tianyi Zhou, Yuxiao Lai and Wei Zhang
Materials 2026, 19(7), 1290; https://doi.org/10.3390/ma19071290 - 24 Mar 2026
Viewed by 486
Abstract
Bone defects have become a leading cause of disability and mortality. The pro-inflammatory state and impaired vascularization are major factors hindering bone defect repair. However, current bone regeneration materials lack the ability to regulate the osteoimmune microenvironment and promote vascularized bone regeneration. In [...] Read more.
Bone defects have become a leading cause of disability and mortality. The pro-inflammatory state and impaired vascularization are major factors hindering bone defect repair. However, current bone regeneration materials lack the ability to regulate the osteoimmune microenvironment and promote vascularized bone regeneration. In this study, we employed clinically used fat emulsion (FE), which is intravenously administered to provide nutrition and energy for patients, to investigate the effect of immunomodulation on promoting angiogenesis and osteogenesis. Results from RT-qPCR analysis and immunofluorescence staining demonstrated that FE exhibited potent anti-inflammatory effects by reducing the expression of the pro-inflammatory marker inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS) and upregulating the expression of the anti-inflammatory marker transforming growth factor-beta (TGF-β). Endothelial tube formation and scratch assays demonstrated that FE promoted angiogenesis and cell migration by releasing vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) within the inflammatory microenvironment. Alkaline phosphatase (ALP) and alizarin red S (ARS) staining revealed that FE facilitated ALP activity and calcium nodule formation by releasing bone morphogenetic protein-2 (BMP-2) within the inflammatory microenvironment. These findings may prove promising and cost-effective for the clinical treatment of bone defects. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Biomaterials for Regenerative Medicine: Synthesis, Characterization and Application)
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15 pages, 9874 KB  
Article
Porous Curdlan–Whey Protein Isolate Scaffolds Obtained by Combined Method for Cartilage Tissue Engineering Application
by Aleksandra Hnydka, Julia Higuchi, Agnieszka Grzelak and Katarzyna Klimek
Materials 2026, 19(2), 404; https://doi.org/10.3390/ma19020404 - 20 Jan 2026
Viewed by 691
Abstract
The aim of this study was to develop porous curdlan (Cur)–whey protein isolate (WPI) biomaterials and evaluate their properties as potential cartilage scaffolds. A novel combined fabrication method involving ion-exchange dialysis, porogen leaching, freezing, and freeze-drying was employed to obtain a porous structure. [...] Read more.
The aim of this study was to develop porous curdlan (Cur)–whey protein isolate (WPI) biomaterials and evaluate their properties as potential cartilage scaffolds. A novel combined fabrication method involving ion-exchange dialysis, porogen leaching, freezing, and freeze-drying was employed to obtain a porous structure. Two types of scaffolds differing in protein content (5 wt.% and 7.5 wt.%) were fabricated and designated as Cur_WPI_5% and Cur_WPI_7.5%, respectively. The microstructure of the biomaterials was analyzed using stereomicroscopy and scanning electron microscopy coupled with energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (SEM-EDS). Physicochemical properties, including wettability and absorption capacity, were also evaluated. In addition, the viability and proliferation of osteoblasts (hFOB 1.19 cell line) in direct contact with scaffolds were assessed. The results demonstrated that both biomaterials exhibited a porous, rough, and hydrophilic structure, as well as a high liquid absorption capacity. Cell culture studies revealed that the Cur_WPI_7.5% scaffold showed greater cytocompatibility, promoting not only osteoblast viability and but also proliferation in vitro. Overall, these findings demonstrate that the developed curdlan/WPI scaffolds, particularly Cur_WPI_7.5%, possess structural and physicochemical properties favorable for cartilage tissue regeneration, highlighting their potential as promising scaffold for future applications. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Biomaterials for Regenerative Medicine: Synthesis, Characterization and Application)
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25 pages, 9472 KB  
Article
Alterations in the Physicochemical and Structural Properties of a Ceramic–Polymer Composite Induced by the Substitution of Hydroxyapatite with Fluorapatite
by Leszek Borkowski, Krzysztof Palka and Lukasz Pajchel
Materials 2025, 18(19), 4538; https://doi.org/10.3390/ma18194538 - 29 Sep 2025
Cited by 3 | Viewed by 1440
Abstract
In recent years, apatite-based materials have garnered significant interest, particularly for applications in tissue engineering. Apatite is most commonly employed as a coating for metallic implants, as a component in composite materials, and as scaffolds for bone and dental tissue regeneration. Among its [...] Read more.
In recent years, apatite-based materials have garnered significant interest, particularly for applications in tissue engineering. Apatite is most commonly employed as a coating for metallic implants, as a component in composite materials, and as scaffolds for bone and dental tissue regeneration. Among its various forms, hydroxyapatite (HAP) is the most widely used, owing to its natural occurrence in human and animal hard tissues. An emerging area of research involves the use of fluoride-substituted apatite, particularly fluorapatite (FAP), which can serve as a direct fluoride source at the implant site, potentially offering several biological and therapeutic advantages. However, substituting HAP with FAP may lead to unforeseen changes in material behavior due to the differing physicochemical properties of these two calcium phosphate phases. This study investigates the effects of replacing hydroxyapatite with fluorapatite in ceramic–polymer composite materials incorporating β-1,3-glucan as a bioactive polymeric binder. The β-1,3-glucan polysaccharide was selected for its proven biocompatibility, biodegradability, and ability to form stable hydrogels that promote cellular interactions. Nitrogen adsorption analysis revealed that FAP/glucan composites had a significantly lower specific surface area (0.5 m2/g) and total pore volume (0.002 cm3/g) compared to HAP/glucan composites (14.15 m2/g and 0.03 cm3/g, respectively), indicating enhanced ceramic–polymer interactions in fluoride-containing systems. Optical profilometry measurements showed statistically significant differences in profile parameters (e.g., Rp: 134 μm for HAP/glucan vs. 352 μm for FAP/glucan), although average roughness (Ra) remained similar (34.1 vs. 27.6 μm, respectively). Microscopic evaluation showed that FAP/glucan composites had smaller particle sizes (1 μm) than their HAP counterparts (2 μm), despite larger primary crystal sizes in FAP, as confirmed by TEM. XRD analysis indicated structural differences between the apatites, with FAP exhibiting a reduced unit cell volume (524.6 Å3) compared to HAP (528.2 Å3), due to substitution of hydroxyl groups with fluoride ions. Spectroscopic analyses (FTIR, Raman, 31P NMR) confirmed chemical shifts associated with fluorine incorporation and revealed distinct ceramic–polymer interfacial behaviors, including an upfield shift of PO43− bands (964 cm−1 in FAP vs. 961 cm−1 in HAP) and OH vibration shifts (3537 cm−1 in FAP vs. 3573 cm−1 in HAP). The glucan polymer showed different hydrogen bonding patterns when combined with FAP versus HAP, as evidenced by shifts in polymer-specific bands at 888 cm−1 and 1157 cm−1, demonstrating that fluoride substitution significantly influences ceramic–polymer interactions in these bioactive composite systems. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Biomaterials for Regenerative Medicine: Synthesis, Characterization and Application)
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Review

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27 pages, 5755 KB  
Review
Chitosan-Based Hydrogels in Vascular Tissue Engineering Applications
by Lauren Taylor and Shih-Feng Chou
Materials 2026, 19(13), 2715; https://doi.org/10.3390/ma19132715 - 24 Jun 2026
Viewed by 221
Abstract
The development of biocompatible materials has gained traction due to the increasing clinical demands for customizable and functional medical devices. Chitosan, a deacetylated derivative of chitin, is a naturally occurring biopolymer with strong antimicrobial properties, immunocompatibility, and structural adaptability, making it a promising [...] Read more.
The development of biocompatible materials has gained traction due to the increasing clinical demands for customizable and functional medical devices. Chitosan, a deacetylated derivative of chitin, is a naturally occurring biopolymer with strong antimicrobial properties, immunocompatibility, and structural adaptability, making it a promising candidate for biomedical applications. Through mechanisms such as crosslinking, ionic bonding, gas formation, and UV radiation, the mechanical properties and stimulus responses of chitosan-based hydrogels can be tailored for drug delivery at specific sites or under specific pH, light, or electrical conditions. Beyond drug delivery, chitosan hydrogels have shown considerable potential for vascular tissue repair. The porous structure of chitosan allows patient specific vascular scaffolding to be created that promotes the recovery rate veins and stenting procedures. Thermally sensitive hydrogels can deliver drugs to target regions to further assist in vascular healing. Furthermore, recent developments with composite polymers and coatings engineered to self-assemble within veins provide scaffolds for vascular tissue growth. This manuscript reviews chitosan hydrogel fabrication methods and their corresponding materials properties, with particular emphasis on drug delivery to vascular tissues. Furthermore, relevant findings from clinical trials are summarized to support the potential of chitosan hydrogels for future clinical use. Challenges of chitosan hydrogels, such as insufficient mechanical strength, high degradation rates, and complex manufacturing, remain as areas for research break-through. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Biomaterials for Regenerative Medicine: Synthesis, Characterization and Application)
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