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Bioinspired Functional Materials for Biomedical Applications 2.0
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Bioinspired Functional Materials for Biomedical Applications 2.0

A special issue of International Journal of Molecular Sciences (ISSN 1422-0067). This special issue belongs to the section "Materials Science".

Deadline for manuscript submissions: closed (30 August 2024) | Viewed by 8035

Special Issue Editors

Prof. Dr. Caterina Cinti

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
Institute for Organic Synthesis and Photoractivity (IOSF), National Research Council (CNR), 40129 Bologna, Italy
Interests: epigenetics; cellular and molecular biology; cancer; drug delivery systems; biodrugs
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals
Dr. Armida Torreggiani

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
Institute for Organic Synthesis and Photoractivity (IOSF), National Research Council (CNR), 40129 Bologna, Italy
Interests: chemical biology; Raman and IR spectroscopy; biomolecules; hyperspectral imaging
Dr. Alberto Zanelli

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
Institute for Organic Synthesis and Photoractivity (IOSF), National Research Council (CNR), 40129 Bologna, Italy
Interests: organic electrochemistry; conducting polymer biointerfaces; chemical sciences; material sciences

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

Biomaterials are rapidly becoming one of the most influential and innovative hot topics of research in the 21st century. The biomaterial age ushers a completely new technological paradigm that favors the development of sustainable materials—a bioinspired perspective based on the control and reproduction of the principles of biological materials using their own components. The intrinsic design intelligence in biomaterials is today a recurrent source of inspiration in material sciences. Materials that reproduce those designs with native components are configured in the same way they are organized in nature; the result is a material of outstanding mechanical and functional properties beyond those of its constituents.

The design and development of multifunctional smart biomaterials that are compatible to human physiology is crucial to achieve the required biological function with a reduced negative biological response. Several biosensors, biomimetic drug delivery systems and medical bioimplants have been tested to boost life expectancy and improve quality of life.

While significant progress has been made in technology and the methods for the synthesis and self-assembly of bioinspired functional materials, their use for biomedical applications is still at its infancy with significant future impact.

In this Special Issue, we will provide an overview of the major challenges and fundamental discoveries regarding bioinspired functional materials, whose structure, properties or function mimic those of natural materials or living matter. Particular attention will be devoted to the efforts under way to exploit the functional properties of new bioderived, biomimetic, biodegradable and biocompatible materials.

Original research and reviews with a strong focus on newer and challenging products are welcome, with particular emphasis on, but not limited to, functionalized bioderived sensors for theranostics applications, biomimetic drug delivery systems for next-generation target therapy, biocompatible materials for biomechatronic artificial organs and prosthetics, bioscaffold and tissue-like materials for regenerative medicine applications.

Fabio Testi ([email protected]) from National Research Council (CNR) will assist in managing this Special Issue.

Prof. Dr. Caterina Cinti
Dr. Armida Torreggiani
Dr. Alberto Zanelli
Guest Editors

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 100 words) can be sent to the Editorial Office for announcement on this website.

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-blind peer-review process. A guide for authors and other relevant information for submission of manuscripts is available on the Instructions for Authors page. International Journal of Molecular Sciences is an international peer-reviewed open access semimonthly journal published by MDPI.

Please visit the Instructions for Authors page before submitting a manuscript. There is an Article Processing Charge (APC) for publication in this open access journal. For details about the APC please see here. 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

  • biomaterials for biomedical applications
  • bioinspired materials
  • bioderived biosensors
  • biomimetic drug delivery systems
  • biomechanotronics
  • artificial organs
  • prosthetics
  • tissue-like materials
  • bioscaffolds

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Published Papers (5 papers)

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Research

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18 pages, 4880 KiB  
Article
Innovative Approaches to Fucoxanthin Delivery: Characterization and Bioavailability of Solid Lipid Nanoparticles with Eco-Friendly Ingredients and Enteric Coating
by Lijun Ding, Xiao Luo, Qingyue Xian, Sishi Zhu and Weijia Wen
Int. J. Mol. Sci. 2024, 25(23), 12825; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijms252312825 - 28 Nov 2024
Viewed by 435
Abstract
Fucoxanthin (FN), a carotenoid derived from brown seaweed and algae, offers significant health benefits. However, its unique structure leads to challenges in stability and bioavailability. To overcome these issues, we successfully encapsulated fucoxanthin in solid lipid nanoparticles (SLNs) utilizing health-safe materials, achieving remarkable [...] Read more.
Fucoxanthin (FN), a carotenoid derived from brown seaweed and algae, offers significant health benefits. However, its unique structure leads to challenges in stability and bioavailability. To overcome these issues, we successfully encapsulated fucoxanthin in solid lipid nanoparticles (SLNs) utilizing health-safe materials, achieving remarkable results. SLNs exhibited a nanoscale size of 248.98 ± 4.0 nm, along with an impressive encapsulation efficiency of 98.30% ± 0.26% and a loading capacity of 5.48% ± 0.82% in lipid. The polydispersity index (PDI) was measured at 0.161 ± 0.03, indicating a narrow size distribution, while the high negative zeta potential of −32.93 ± 1.2 mV suggests excellent stability. Pharmacokinetic studies conducted in Sprague–Dawley rats revealed an exceptional oral bioavailability of 2723.16% compared to fucoxanthin crystals, likely attributed to the enhanced stability and improved cellular uptake of the SLNs. To further improve bioavailability, we creatively applied enteric coatings to the freeze-dried SLNs, effectively protecting fucoxanthin from gastric degradation, which is supported by in vitro digestion results. These findings underscore the potential of SLNs as a superior delivery system for fucoxanthin, significantly enhancing its therapeutic efficacy and broadening its application in the food and pharmaceutical industries. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Bioinspired Functional Materials for Biomedical Applications 2.0)
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14 pages, 3569 KiB  
Article
Therapeutic Efficacy of an Erythromycin-Loaded Coaxial Nanofiber Coating in a Rat Model of S. aureus-Induced Periprosthetic Joint Infection
by David C. Markel, Dexter Powell, Bin Wu, Paula Pawlitz, Therese Bou-Akl, Liang Chen, Tong Shi and Weiping Ren
Int. J. Mol. Sci. 2024, 25(14), 7926; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijms25147926 - 19 Jul 2024
Viewed by 825
Abstract
Implant surface nanofiber (NF) coatings represent an alternative way to prevent/treat periprosthetic joint infection (PJI) via local drug release. We developed and characterized a coaxial erythromycin (EM)-doped PLGA/PCL-PVA NF coating. The purpose of this study was to determine the efficacy of EM-NF coatings [...] Read more.
Implant surface nanofiber (NF) coatings represent an alternative way to prevent/treat periprosthetic joint infection (PJI) via local drug release. We developed and characterized a coaxial erythromycin (EM)-doped PLGA/PCL-PVA NF coating. The purpose of this study was to determine the efficacy of EM-NF coatings (EM0, no EM, EM100 (100 mg/mL), and EM1000 (1000 mg/mL) wt/wt) in a rat PJI model. A strong bond of the EM-NF coating to the surface of titanium (Ti) pins was confirmed by in vitro mechanical testing. Micro-computed tomography (mCT) analysis showed that both EM100 and EM1000 NF effectively reduced periprosthetic osteolysis compared to EM0 at 8 and 16 weeks after implantation. Histology showed that EM100 and EM1000 coatings effectively controlled infection and enhanced periprosthetic new bone formation. The bone implant contact (BIC) of EM100 (35.08%) was higher than negative controls and EM0 (3.43% and 0%, respectively). The bone area fraction occupancy (BAFO) of EM100 (0.63 mm2) was greater than controls and EM0 (0.390 mm2 and 0.0 mm2, respectively). The BAFO of EM100 was higher than that of EM1000 (0.3 mm2). These findings may provide a basis for a new implant surface fabrication strategy aimed at reducing the risks of defective osseointegration and PJI. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Bioinspired Functional Materials for Biomedical Applications 2.0)
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14 pages, 8213 KiB  
Article
Development of Gelatin Methacryloyl/Sodium Alginate Interpenetrating Polymer Network Hydrogels for Bone Regeneration by Activating the Wnt/β-Catenin Signaling Pathway via Lithium Release
by Chen Ma, Yu-Kyoung Kim, Min-Ho Lee and Yong-Seok Jang
Int. J. Mol. Sci. 2023, 24(17), 13613; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijms241713613 - 2 Sep 2023
Cited by 8 | Viewed by 2623
Abstract
Hydrogels have gained significant attention as biomaterials due to their remarkable properties resembling those of the extracellular matrix (ECM). In the present investigation, we successfully synthesized interpenetrating polymer network (IPN) hydrogels using gelatin methacryloyl (GelMA) and sodium alginate (SA), incorporating various concentrations of [...] Read more.
Hydrogels have gained significant attention as biomaterials due to their remarkable properties resembling those of the extracellular matrix (ECM). In the present investigation, we successfully synthesized interpenetrating polymer network (IPN) hydrogels using gelatin methacryloyl (GelMA) and sodium alginate (SA), incorporating various concentrations of lithium chloride (LiCl; 0, 5, and 10 mM), aiming to develop a hydrogel scaffold for bone regeneration. Notably, the compressive modulus of the IPN hydrogels remained largely unaffected upon the inclusion of LiCl. However, the hydrogel with the high concentration of LiCl exhibited reduced fragmentation after compression testing. Intriguingly, we observed a significant improvement in cellular biocompatibility, primarily attributed to activation of the Wnt/β-catenin signaling pathway induced by LiCl. Subsequently, we evaluated the efficacy of the newly developed IPN-Li hydrogels in a rat cranial defect model and found that they substantially enhanced bone regeneration. Nevertheless, it is important to note that the introduction of high concentrations of LiCl did not significantly promote osteogenesis. This outcome can be attributed to the excessive release of Li+ ions into the extracellular matrix, hindering the desired effect. Overall, the IPN-Li hydrogel developed in this study holds great promise as a biodegradable material for bone regeneration applications. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Bioinspired Functional Materials for Biomedical Applications 2.0)
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Review

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24 pages, 5244 KiB  
Review
Mussel-Inspired Injectable Adhesive Hydrogels for Biomedical Applications
by Wenguang Dou, Xiaojun Zeng, Shuzhuang Zhu, Ye Zhu, Hongliang Liu and Sidi Li
Int. J. Mol. Sci. 2024, 25(16), 9100; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijms25169100 - 22 Aug 2024
Viewed by 1575
Abstract
The impressive adhesive capacity of marine mussels has inspired various fascinating designs in biomedical fields. Mussel-inspired injectable adhesive hydrogels, as a type of promising mussel-inspired material, have attracted much attention due to their minimally invasive property and desirable functions provided by mussel-inspired components. [...] Read more.
The impressive adhesive capacity of marine mussels has inspired various fascinating designs in biomedical fields. Mussel-inspired injectable adhesive hydrogels, as a type of promising mussel-inspired material, have attracted much attention due to their minimally invasive property and desirable functions provided by mussel-inspired components. In recent decades, various mussel-inspired injectable adhesive hydrogels have been designed and widely applied in numerous biomedical fields. The rational incorporation of mussel-inspired catechol groups endows the injectable hydrogels with the potential to exhibit many properties, including tissue adhesiveness and self-healing, antimicrobial, and antioxidant capabilities, broadening the applications of injectable hydrogels in biomedical fields. In this review, we first give a brief introduction to the adhesion mechanism of mussels and the characteristics of injectable hydrogels. Further, the typical design strategies of mussel-inspired injectable adhesive hydrogels are summarized. The methodologies for integrating catechol groups into polymers and the crosslinking methods of mussel-inspired hydrogels are discussed in this section. In addition, we systematically overview recent mussel-inspired injectable adhesive hydrogels for biomedical applications, with a focus on how the unique properties of these hydrogels benefit their applications in these fields. The challenges and perspectives of mussel-inspired injectable hydrogels are discussed in the last section. This review may provide new inspiration for the design of novel bioinspired injectable hydrogels and facilitate their application in various biomedical fields. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Bioinspired Functional Materials for Biomedical Applications 2.0)
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27 pages, 5817 KiB  
Review
Molecular Force Sensors for Biological Application
by Huiyan Chen, Shouhan Wang, Yi Cao and Hai Lei
Int. J. Mol. Sci. 2024, 25(11), 6198; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijms25116198 - 4 Jun 2024
Viewed by 1355
Abstract
The mechanical forces exerted by cells on their surrounding microenvironment are known as cellular traction forces. These forces play crucial roles in various biological processes, such as tissue development, wound healing and cell functions. However, it is hard for traditional techniques to measure [...] Read more.
The mechanical forces exerted by cells on their surrounding microenvironment are known as cellular traction forces. These forces play crucial roles in various biological processes, such as tissue development, wound healing and cell functions. However, it is hard for traditional techniques to measure cellular traction forces accurately because their magnitude (from pN to nN) and the length scales over which they occur (from nm to μm) are extremely small. In order to fully understand mechanotransduction, highly sensitive tools for measuring cellular forces are needed. Current powerful techniques for measuring traction forces include traction force microscopy (TFM) and fluorescent molecular force sensors (FMFS). In this review, we elucidate the force imaging principles of TFM and FMFS. Then we highlight the application of FMFS in a variety of biological processes and offer our perspectives and insights into the potential applications of FMFS. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Bioinspired Functional Materials for Biomedical Applications 2.0)
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