Electrospinning Technologies for Biomedical and Biotechnological Applications

Electrospinning is a highly versatile and powerful technique that has transformed the field of nanotechnology. The technique enables the creation of nanofibrous scaffolds with unique properties, including high surface-area-to-volume ratios, porosity, and tunability. These scaffolds have found numerous applications in the biomedical and biotechnology fields and offer promising solutions to a number of challenges.

The use of electrospun nanofibrous scaffolds in biomedical applications is promising. Their ability to mimic the native extracellular matrix makes them an ideal solution for tissue engineering and regenerative medicine. Electrospun scaffolds have been developed for use with a variety of tissues, including bone, cartilage, skin, and nerves [1,2]. In addition, electrospinning has been investigated for potential applications in drug delivery [3,4]. The controlled and sustained release of drugs via electrospun nanofibers improves bioavailability while reducing the incidence of adverse effects. This approach has shown potential for the treatment of several diseases, including cancer [5], diabetic wounds [6], and cardiovascular diseases [7].

In addition to biomedical applications, electrospinning technologies have also been successfully applied in biotechnology [8]. Electrospun nanofibers are ideal for use as biosensors, enabling the detection of specific biological molecules such as proteins, DNA, and viruses. Their high surface area and porous structure increase sensitivity and detection limits. Electrospinning has also been used to immobilize enzymes, which retain their activity and stability when attached to electrospun nanofibers [9]. This makes them well suited for use in biocatalysis, biosensors, and enzyme-based therapeutics.

There are a number of major problems in the field of electrospinning that have been the focus of research efforts:

• Control of fiber morphology and properties. Producing electrospun nanofibers with uniform morphology, size, and properties can be challenging. Factors such as polymer concentration, solvent choice, and process parameters can affect fiber properties.
• Scalability. Scaling up electrospinning to produce nanofibers on a large scale for industrial applications can be difficult. Maintaining consistent fiber quality and productivity during scale-up can be challenging [10].
• Integration with other technologies. Integrating electrospinning with other manufacturing techniques, such as 3D printing or microfluidics, can be complex. It is important to develop methods for seamless integration and compatibility.
• Biocompatibility and toxicity. Some polymers used in electrospinning may not be biocompatible or may have potential toxicity. Identifying and developing biocompatible and non-toxic materials are critical for biomedical applications.

The following main directions of development of electrospinning technologies are considered:

(i)

Advanced materials and functionalization. Developing new electrospinnable materials with improved properties, such as biocompatibility, conductivity, or responsiveness to stimuli. Functionalizing electrospun nanofibers with bioactive molecules or nanoparticles to enhance their functionality for specific applications [11].

(ii)

Process optimization and control. Improving electrospinning process control to achieve precise control over fiber morphology, size, and properties [12,13].

(iii)

Multi-component and hierarchical structures. Exploring electrospinning techniques to produce multi-component or hierarchical nanofibrous structures with tailored properties [14,15]. This involves combining different polymers or incorporating other materials into the electrospun fibers [16,17].

(iv)

Integration with other technologies. Integrating electrospinning with other fabrication techniques, such as 3D printing, microfluidics, lithography, or freeze-drying, to create more complex and functional structures. Developing hybrid technologies that combine the advantages of electrospinning with other approaches [18,19].

(v)

Biomedical and biotechnological applications. Translating electrospinning technologies into practical biomedical and biotechnological applications. Developing electrospun scaffolds for tissue engineering [20], drug delivery systems [3], biosensors, and other biomedical devices [10]. Exploring electrospinning for biocatalysis, enzyme immobilization [9], and food industry [21].

In summary, it seems fair to say that electrospinning technologies offer considerable potential for advancing biomedical and biotechnology applications. The ability to fabricate nanofibrous scaffolds with tailored properties provides researchers and industry professionals with a valuable tool to address key challenges in these fields. Therefore, it is with great pleasure that we introduce the two-volume Special Issue “Electrospinning Technologies for Biomedical and Biotechnological Applications” (https://www.mdpi.com/journal/technologies/special_issues/Electrospinning_Technologies (accessed on 18 September 2024)) and “Electrospinning Technologies for Biomedical and Biotechnological Applications—Volume II” (https://www.mdpi.com/journal/technologies/special_issues/J4190E9F87 (accessed on 18 September 2024)), which includes a total of ten original research articles and one review [8]. Contributors to this Special Issue come from different countries, including Russia, Kazakhstan, Uzbekistan, Republic of Korea, Malaysia, and Turkey. The articles cover a wide range of topics, including the following: development of novel electrospinning techniques and materials, optimization of scaffold design and properties for specific applications, investigation of biological and physical properties of electrospun scaffolds, exploration of electrospinning for tissue engineering, drug delivery, and environmental applications. We believe that the articles in this Special Issue will inspire further research and innovation in the field of electrospinning. We hope that these technologies will continue to make significant contributions to the development of new therapies, diagnostics, and devices for biomedical and biotechnology applications.