Multifunctional Natural Polymer-Based Therapeutic Systems: Drug Delivery Meets Tissue Engineering

Dear Colleagues,

In recent years, the convergence of drug delivery and tissue engineering has driven the development of a new generation of multifunctional biomaterials that are capable of addressing complex biomedical challenges through a unified therapeutic platform. Among these, natural polymer-based therapeutic systems have attracted significant attention due to their biocompatibility, hydrophilicity, biodegradability, and structural similarity to components of the native extracellular matrix (ECM). Polymers such as chitosan, gelatin, hyaluronic acid, alginate, collagen, and cellulose derivates offer versatile platforms for designing intelligent, stimuli-sensitive systems that release bioactive agents in a controlled/targeted manner, while simultaneously promoting cell adhesion, proliferation, migration, and tissue regeneration.

This Special Issue aims to highlight recent advances in the development, characterization, and pharmaceutical and biomedical application of multifunctional therapeutic systems based on natural polymers that unify the principles of drug delivery and tissue engineering. We kindly invite scientists that investigating innovative biopolymeric formulations, functional modifications, advanced biofabrication techniques (e.g., 3D printing and electrospinning), and the in vitro/in vivo performance of these hybrid therapeutic systems to contribute original research articles and review articles. Potential topics of interest include, but are not limited to, the following:

• Design and synthesis of multifunctional natural polymer-based materials;
• Dual therapeutic systems for simultaneous drug delivery and tissue regeneration potential;
• Injectable, thermo-sensitive, or self-healing polymeric biomaterials;
• Bioactive polymeric scaffolds loaded with growth factors, nanoparticles, active agents, or plant-derived compounds;
• Smart, stimuli-responsive polymeric systems (e.g., pH, temperature, ROS);
• Advances in biofabrication—3D bioprinting, electrospinning, and microscale structuring;
• In vitro and in vivo evaluation of natural polymer-based therapeutic systems;
• Application in skin, bone, cartilage, cardiovascular, and wound healing therapies;
• Synergistic therapeutic approaches combining antimicrobial, anti-inflammatory, and regenerative effects.

Particular emphasis will be placed on therapeutic systems that demonstrate dual/multiple or synergistic functionality, such as the controlled release of bioactive agents combined with biomimetic properties, ECM–mimetic structure-mediated regeneration, or immunomodulation.

Dr. Marija M. Babić Radić
Prof. Dr. Wei-En Yuan
Guest Editors

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