Biopolymers: Recent Progress and New Perspectives

Dear Colleagues,

In the last decade, research on biopolymers has increased exponentially, and it has been considered an emergent topic due to its broad range of applications and recognized benefits. Their use in drug, nucleic acid or protein protection, carrier and controlled delivery for therapeutic effects, in scaffolds and membranes for bone regeneration or tissue engineering, or even in converting food packaging or other plastics to biodegradable materials are all extremely relevant applications, not only for biomedicine but also for the biopharmaceutical and food industry fields and for the environment. The recent advances in biopolymers have been targeted at overcoming the challenges on the obtention of more efficient, biocompatible, and cost-effective polymers, toward more advanced and high-technology applications. 

Thus, this Special Issue on “Biopolymers: Recent Progress and New Perspectives” intends to bring an overview of innovative original research and review articles presenting actual and practical applications and scientific discussions in the field of biopolymers. Research topics can include but are not limited to the manufacturing, formulation, functionalization, structural design, characterization, morphology, biocompatibility, and applications of biopolymers.

We hope this Special Issue will promote scientific know-how exchange and highlight progress and fundamental aspects, as well as new perspectives to solve challenges focused on the biopolymer field.