Advanced Polymeric Bio-Composites for Musculoskeletal Regeneration

Dear Colleagues,

Tissue engineering has significantly contributed to the development of new therapeutic strategies for the treatment of musculoskeletal disorders. Cells, scaffolds, and growth factors are considered the key components of tissue regeneration platforms. Scaffolds, typically made of polymeric biomaterials, provide structural support for cell attachment and subsequent tissue development. Despite many advances in the use of polymers as biological scaffolds, there are still challenges that need to be explored. Biocomposites are designed by adding nano/bio fillers or combining several polymers, resulting in enhanced mechanical properties, biocompatibility, and regeneration efficiency. In addition, a well-designed biocomposite can mimic the extracellular matrix environment, guiding the regeneration process to achieve the best outcome.   

This Special Issue aims to present a collection of original research papers and state-of-the-art reviews that focus on polymeric bio-composites for bone, cartilage, and muscle tissue engineering applications. Contributions detailing polymeric materials as tissue engineering scaffolds and carriers with a focus on any of the following topics are of particular interest: 

• Enhanced mechanical, degradability, and biocompatibility and any relevant properties of polymers; 
• Development of novel biocomposites with notable regeneration efficiency; 
• A new fabrication strategy for the production of polymeric nano/biocomposite; 
• A novel system biology approach to evaluating intracellular behavior in response to polymeric composites; 
• In vitro/in vivo assessments; 
• Biocomposites as carriers of differentiation inducers; 
• Nanoparticle–hydrogel composites for musculoskeletal regeneration;
• Hydrogel as a therapeutic delivery system for bone, cartilage, and muscle regeneration;
• Printable biocomposites.  

Dr. Vahid Jahed
Dr. Öznur Demir Oğuz
Guest Editors

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