Biomaterials Science Series – serie

Biodegradable thermogels are a promising class of stimuli-responsive polymers. This book summarizes recent developments in thermogel research with a focus on synthesis and self-assembly mechanisms, gel biodegradability, and applications for drug delivery, cell encapsulation and tissue engineering. A closing chapter on commercialisation shows the challenges faced bringing this new material to market.Edited by leading authorities on the subject, this book offers a comprehensive overview for academics and professionals across polymer science, materials science and biomedical and chemical engineering.

Elastomeric proteins are ubiquitous in nature, where they have evolved precise structures and properties that are necessary to perform specific biological roles and functions. This book emphasizes the impact of amino acid sequence on modulating protein structure, properties, and function. Examples include conformational ensemble dynamics, environmental responsiveness, self-assembly, physico-mechanical properties, morphology, and properties tailored for biomedical applications. This foundational framework is not only critical to advance scientific understanding and knowledge on elastomeric proteins but also enables the conceptualization, rational design, and development of biosynthetic elastomers and their analogous polypeptides for a variety of applications. Edited and contributed by pioneering researchers in the field, the book provides a timely overview of the materials, along with the synthesis techniques, the unique characteristics of elastomeric proteins, and biomedical and industrial applications. The book will provide a reference for graduate students and researchers interested in designing biomimetic proteins tailored for various functions.

The increased understanding of molecular aspects associated with chronic diseases, such as cancer and the role of tumor microenvironment, has led to the identification of endogenous and exogenous stimuli that can be exploited to devise “stimuli-responsive” materials for site-specific drug delivery applications. This book provides a comprehensive account on the design, materials chemistry, and application aspects behind these novel stimuli-responsive materials. Setting the scene, the editors open with a chapter addressing the need for smart materials in delivery applications for therapy, imaging and disease diagnosis. The following chapter describes the key physical and chemical aspects of smart materials, from lipids to polymers to hybrid materials, providing the reader with a springboard to delve into the more application oriented chapters that follow. With in-depth coverage of key drug delivery systems such as pH-responsive, temperature responsive, enzyme-responsive and light responsive systems, this book provides a rigorous foundation to the field.  A perfect resource for graduate students and newcomers, the closing chapter on regulatory and commercialization challenges also makes the book ideal for those wanting to take the next step towards clinical translation.

With the need to combat emerging infectious diseases, research around antimicrobial biomaterials and their applications is booming. This book provides the field with a much-needed fundamental overview of the science, addressing the chemistry of a broad range of biomaterial types, and their applications in the biomedical industry.Materials covered include polymers, from those with inherent antimicrobial activity to those that release antimicrobial agents, antimicrobial ceramics and inorganic compounds, such as metal based antimicrobial additives, and the developing field of biomimetic materials, are discussed. Surfaces, coatings and adhesives are covered, whilst the applications of these antimicrobial materials in biomedical applications, from catheters to orthopaedics, dentistry to ophthalmology, are explored. Edited by international leaders and with contributions from the best in the field, this book is the go-to resource for graduates and researchers in biomaterials science, biomedical engineering, chemical engineering, and materials and polymer chemistry.

3D tissue modelling is an emerging field used for the investigation of disease mechanisms and drug development. The two key drivers of this upsurge in research lie in its potential to offer a way to reduce animal testing with respect to biotoxicity analysis, preferably on physiology recapitulated human tissues and, additionally, provides an alternative approach to regenerative medicine. Integrating physics, chemistry, materials science, and stem cell and biomedical engineering, this book provides a complete foundation to this exciting, and interdisciplinary field. Beginning with the basic principles of 3D tissue modelling, the reader will find expert reviews on key fabrication technologies and processes, including microfluidics, microfabrication technology such as 3D bioprinting, and programming approaches to emulating human tissue complexity. The next stage introduces the reader to a range of materials used for 3D tissue modelling, from synthetic to natural materials, as well as the emerging field of tissue derived decellularized extracellular matrix (dECM). A whole host of critical applications are covered, with several chapters dedicated to hard and soft tissues, as well as focused reviews on the respiratory and central nervous system. Finally, the development of in vitro tissue models to screen drugs and study progression and etiologies of diseases, with particular attention paid to cancer, can be found.

Human pluripotent stem cells (hPSCs), which cover both human embryonic stem cells (hESCs) and induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSCs), show promise for drug discovery and regenerative medicine applications. These stem cells cannot be cultured on conventional tissue culture dishes but on biomaterials that have specific interactions with the hPSCs. Differentiation is regulated by the biological and physical cues conferred by the biomaterial. This book provides a systematic treatment of these topics bridging the gap between fundamental biomaterials research of stem cells and their use in clinical trials. The author looks at hPSC culture on a range of biomaterial substrates. Differentiation and control of hESCs and iPSCs into cardiomyocytes, osteoblasts, neural lineages and hepatocytes are covered. The author then considers their translation into stem cell therapies and looks at clinical trials across spinal cord injury, macular degeneration, bone disease and myocardial infarction. Finally, a chapter on future directions closes the book. By using this book, the reader will gain a robust overview of current research and a clearer understanding of the status of clinical trials for stem cell therapies.

The extracellular matrix (ECM) supports cells and regulates various cellular functions in our body. The native ECM promises to provide an excellent scaffold for regenerative medicine. In order to use the ECM as a scaffold in medicine, its cellular fractions need to be removed while retaining its structural and compositional properties. This process is called decellularization, and the resulting product is known as the decellularized extracellular matrix (dECM). This book focuses on the sources of dECM and its preparation, characterization techniques, fabrication, and applications in regenerative medicine and biological studies. Using this book, the reader will gain a good foundation in the field of ECM decellularization complemented with a broad overview of dECM characterization, ranging from structural observation and compositional assessment to immune responses against dECM and applications, ranging from microfabrication and 3D-printing to the application of tissue-derived dECM in vascular grafts and corneal tissue engineering etc. The book closes with a section dedicated to cultured cell dECM, a complementary technique of tissue-derived dECM preparation, for application in tissue engineering and regenerative medicine, addressing its use in stem cell differentiation and how it can help in the study of the tumor microenvironment as well as in clinical trials of peripheral nerve regeneration.

With synthetic implants such as hip joints, heart valves and dental crowns now routinely used in the human body for medical purposes, study of the metals, ceramics and polymers used in these repairs is more important than ever. The Chemistry of Medical and Dental Materials examines the properties and interactions of these materials within the body at a molecular level, and includes discussion of bioengineering and cell biology, with accounts of the surgical procedures used, as well as extensive coverage of the possible biological reactions to the presence of foreign materials in the body.Acknowledging the substantial growth of the biomaterials field since the first edition, this second edition sees each chapter comprehensively revised and updated. The new edition also includes a new chapter on ethical perspectives, covering issues from animal and human subject testing to the availability of treatments for poorer socio-economic groups.With detailed reviews of the current literature, this book will be a key resource for researchers and practitioners in biomaterials science and dental biomaterials who are involved in the development of new and improved repair materials.

Hydrogels represent one of the cornerstones in tissue engineering and regenerative medicine, due to their biocompatibility and physiologically relevant properties. These inherent characteristics mean that they can be widely exploited as bioinks in 3D bioprinting for tissue engineering applications as well as injectable gels for cell therapy and drug delivery purposes. The research in these fields is booming and this book provides the reader with a terrific introduction to the burgeoning field of injectable hydrogel design, bioprinting and tissue engineering. Edited by three leaders in the field, users of this book will learn about different classes of hydrogels, properties and synthesis strategies to produce bioinks. A section devoted to the key processing and design challenges at the hydrogel/3D bioprinting/tissue interface is also covered. The final section of the book closes with pertinent clinical applications.Tightly edited, the reader will find this book to be a coherent resource to learn from.  It will appeal to those working across biomaterials science, chemical and biomedical engineering, tissue engineering and regenerative medicine.

Extracellular and biofluids vesicles (EVs) are highly specialised yet ubiquitous nanoscale messengers secreted by cells. With the development of stem cell engineering, EVs promise to deliver next generation tools in regenerative medicine and tissue engineering, as well as in diagnostics. A vibrant and promising field, this book provides the first resource to the field.Covering basic cell biology, including EV production and intracellular communication, this book will provide material scientists and engineers with a foundation to the necessary biology. The reader will then learn about the isolation of extracellular vesicles their physicochemical characterisation and therapeutic application of EVs in regenerative medicine as well as their potential as biomarkers in medical diagnostic. This book will also discuss the regulatory landscape of EVs.Bridging cell biology, biomaterials, biophysics and biomedical engineering the content of this book is written with a broad interdisciplinary audience in mind. Researchers, new and established will find this a must-have on their shelf.

Advances in smart materials continue to reshape drug and gene delivery by enabling precise, site-specific therapeutic action. This fully revised 2nd edition provides an authoritative overview of the chemistry, design, and biomedical applications of stimuli-responsive systems, reflecting major breakthroughs over the past five years. The volume comprehensively covers pH-, temperature-, redox-, glucose-, enzyme-, light-, ultrasound-, electrical-, magnetic-, and swelling-responsive platforms, while expanding into emerging areas including multi-stimuli architectures, drug–device combinations, and AI-driven design tools. Nineteen chapters by leading international experts explore material synthesis and characterization, mechanisms of responsiveness, and delivery strategies for small molecules, nucleic acids, proteins, gene therapies, and cell therapies. The edition highlights rapidly growing theranostic applications integrating imaging and treatment, alongside essential considerations for manufacturability, regulatory pathways, and commercialisation. Richly illustrated with preclinical and clinical examples, the book emphasizes how environmentally triggered systems enhance targeting precision, improve therapeutic index, and enable adaptive drug release control.

The ability to modulate the body's immune system can greatly assist the treatment of diseases and repair of injured tissues. Immunomodulatory biomaterials can promote adaptive immunity, without the need for drugs, cytokines or cell therapies. Their design can be targeted towards specific applications, including cancer and inflammatory disease.Exploring the latest research, the authors present their philosophy for the design of immunomodulatory biomaterials and aim to close the gap between materials scientists, engineers, and biologists. The book includes an overview of the immune system, the immune response biomaterials may create, and various design strategies across a range of biomedical contexts. The book concludes with an outlook on the future of this topic and how it will translate to the clinic.

Injectable smart hydrogels possess various properties that enable the development of new minimally invasive approaches to avoid problems associated with traditional implants. Researchers in academia and industry will learn the range of synthetic strategies used to produce this emerging class of biomaterials. Clinicians will also be inspired by the range of applications demonstrated to advance surgical procedures.The editors have brought together a global authorship to ensure that this book presents the state-of-the-art in materials engineering and therapeutics. Their knowledge and experience will help the reader develop better knowledge of the field and inspire new innovations, that cover a range of areas such as regenerative medicine, cancer therapy, and drug delivery.

Nanocellulose is a versatile material which is now finding applications in biomaterials science, and as a sustainable resource it is particularly attractive to the industrial and research communities.Drawing on a global authorship, this book explains how the antimicrobial and immunological properties of nanocellulose make it an ideal material for applications in tissue engineering, whether in hydrogels, scaffolds, or polymer composites. Readers will discover how to extract and characterise nanocellulose and fabricate it in a wide variety of tissue engineering scenarios. Opportunities for 3D printing are considered among a wealth of approaches. With regulatory frameworks in mind, toxicological evaluations and life-cycle assessment of materials are discussed, ensuring that this is a comprehensive source of information for anyone seeking a more sustainable approach to tissue engineering and biomaterials.

Expanding the horizons of dental care, this pioneering book explores the transformative realm of biomimetic, bioinspired, and bioactive biomaterials. It examines state-of-the-art advancements that emulate natural designs, leveraging biological principles to enhance aesthetics, functionality, and regeneration in dentistry.Covering a spectrum from tooth-coloured composites and ceramic restorations to tissue engineering scaffolds and targeted drug delivery systems, this comprehensive resource presents innovative biomaterial solutions for restorations, implants, tissue regeneration, and localized treatments. It features insights from a diverse team of international experts on emerging trends such as nanotechnology, 3D printing, and personalized dentistry.By bridging the gap between science and clinical practice, this book provides dental professionals with the knowledge to integrate these revolutionary materials, thereby improving patient outcomes and heralding a new era of advanced, biomimetic dental care.

This authoritative volume presents a comprehensive exploration of multifunctional epidermal patches, integrating cutting-edge advances in polymer science, bioelectronics, and nanobiotechnology. Edited by Jagan Mohan Dodda, Nureddin Ashammakhi, and Jaeyun Kim, the book systematically covers the synthesis, structural design, and functional characterization of smart patches engineered for real-time diagnostics and targeted therapeutics. Topics include transdermal delivery systems, microneedle arrays, hydrogel matrices, bioresorbable substrates, and self-powered e-skin platforms. Emphasis is placed on the interplay between mechanical compliance, biochemical responsiveness, and electronic integration for applications in wound healing, tissue regeneration, neural and cardiac monitoring, and personalized medicine. With contributions from leading global researchers, this volume serves as a critical reference for materials scientists, biomedical engineers, and clinical innovators seeking to advance the field of wearable theranostic devices.

Inorganic glasses are successfully used in the biomedical field, in particular degradable glasses  have found applications in tissue engineering, bone regeneration and tooth remineralisation. Silicate glasses are the most commonly used ones but phosphate and borate glasses are attracting more and more interest owing to their special properties, differing from those of silicate bio-glasses. Phosphate and borate glasses thus open up potential routes for new therapeutic applications. This book focuses on these emerging materials. Bridging the phosphate and borate glasses communities, this book provides a fundamental treatment of atomic structure and physicochemical properties before highlighting their current and potential future applications. Phosphate and borate glasses not only feature a broader range of glass formation than silicate glasses. Their ability to completely dissolve in water with the solubility varying over orders of magnitude with compositional changes, makes them exciting materials for delivering therapeutic agents into the human body. Biomaterials scientists working in glasses, hard tissue engineering and regenerative medicine will find this a must-have book to own, alongside their more traditional silicate glass tomes.

Mechanobiology is a new research field that investigates how the physical forces and changes in mechanical properties of cells and tissues contribute to their development, physiology and disease. One unique feature in the mechanical regulation, distinct from chemical/biochemical one, is that it can directly react with the multi-layered architectures of living systems, ranging from nano-scale proteins, subcellular organelles, cells, tissues, organs to whole bodies; one could term it “mechanoarchitectonics”. Another important aspect is its time-dependent dynamic feature. Not only time evolution in cells and extracellular matrices, but their intrinsic viscoelastic nature makes mechanical interaction dissipative and such feature is critical in cellular mechanical responses.This book focuses on recent progress in mechanobiology from the materials science perspective, encompassing innovative material designs for force measurements and actuation to resolve dynamic mechanobiology and mechanoarchitectonics, by better mimicking physiologically relevant and time-evolving cellular mechanical environments.  It also shows the marriage between cutting-edge materials science which enable spatiotemporal manipulation of material and cell dynamics in multi-dimensions and molecular biological techniques such as genome editing and next generation sequencing for cell fate/motility engineering and disease modelling, with the aim of providing valuable insights into the latest technological advances and discoveries in areas such as stem cell, fibroblast, heart, tumour, and epithelial mechanobiology. Edited by leaders in the field, this book will be suitable for a broad range of readers, including materials scientists, biomaterial and biomedical engineering researchers and those working in chemical and mechanical engineering to expand possibilities of system designs for the developments of medical technologies based on mechanobiology.

Treating diseases involving the kidney, liver and immune systems often requires a good grasp of blood purifying technologies, specifically membranes and adsorbents. This is the first book to elucidate the role of biomaterials in blood purification technologies. Starting with a fundamental introduction on bio/haemocompatibility of materials, the reader will move on to learn about the membranes used for blood purification in key environments, namely the liquid–liquid environment (e.g. the artificial kidney) and will look at haemodialysis and materials therein, to liquid–gas environments (e.g. the artificial lung), before moving on to chapters delving into hybrid artificial organs and smart membranes. The next part of the book looks at adsorbents, including immunoadsorbents and bionic adsorbents. The book ends with the prospect of blood purification materials. Edited by a leader in the field, this book is a novel and comprehensive analysis of blood purification materials. It is essential reading for those working in biomaterials science and engineering.

The tumour microenvironment is increasingly recognized as an important contributor to cancer progression and treatment. However, most cancer studies continue to be performed in 2D tissue culture dishes that do not capture the characteristics of the tumour niche. This book provides an introduction to the rich chemical, topographical, and mechanical cues in the tumour microenvironment and then introduces readers to bioengineering strategies, including scaffold design and synthesis, chemical signalling and delivery, and co-culture, microfluidics, and organ-on-a-chip tools that can be used to mimic tumour microenvironment features. This book also includes discussion of emerging imaging methods compatible with tumour microenvironment mimicking biomaterials and discusses applications of such models in immuno-oncology, metastasis, and drug screening.Edited by two leaders in the field, this book will appeal to graduate students and researchers working in biomaterials science, chemical and biomedical engineering departments.

Advances in technology have rapidly changed the way we treat ophthalmic diseases, especially with the development of new biomaterials used as prosthetics, for drug delivery devices, or to regenerate tissue. Bridging the gap between biomaterials scientists and ophthalmologists, this book includes overviews of devices and cutting-edge research on current and future strategies to treat acute and chronic diseases in the eye. Edited by leaders in the field, the book provides perspectives for both biomaterials scientists and ophthalmologists. Biomaterials scientists are given a background to the challenges in ophthalmology that advanced materials could solve. Ophthalmologists are provided a background on materials to enable them to better understand the devices they are using and their advantages and challenges. All readers are provided with a critical review of the current and future state of devices that are being used or are under development in devices, regenerative medicine, and drug delivery.This book is for those working in biomaterials science, biomedical engineering, chemical engineering, and clinicians specialising in ophthalmology, as well as those working in polymer science-based medical technologies.

Polysaccharides are natural, renewable materials that are biodegradable and biocompatible, making them ideal subjects for biomedical applications. This book focusses on the main polysaccharides, including but not limited to chitosan, cellulose, alginate, dextran, guar gum, gellan gum, pullulan, locust bean gum, pectin, xanthan gum, starch, hyaluronan and carrageenan, and their applications in drug delivery, imaging and tissue engineering. With contributions from around the world, the editors have pulled together a tightly curated set of chapters which showcase how polysaccharide-based materials are employed in a range of biomedical systems. The end result is a book in which the reader can gain a sound overview of this important class of material for biomedical applications, without scouring journal articles. Those working in materials science, biomedical and chemical engineering, and pharmaceutical technologies will find this a must-have reference.

Current environmental and energy concerns have led to lignin gaining increased attention in the last decade as a renewable biomass. Due to its structural and functional properties, such as antimicrobial behaviour, biodegradability, biocompatibility and ease of surface modifications, lignin-based materials have gained popularity in the biomedical field with applications ranging from tissue engineering scaffolds and wound dressing materials to drug delivery carriers.Using this book, the reader will learn about the chemistry of lignin, and the characterization, fabrication and properties of lignin-based composites with different matrices (thermosets, thermoplastics, elastomers etc.). In addition, the book illustrates how these materials are used in medical applications, covering drug delivery, wound dressing, tissue engineering, imaging, etc.Providing a neat overview of the current research for the biomaterials science community, this book is a one-stop resource for researchers and practitioners working on lignin-based biomaterials. For those active in the broader fields of materials science and biomedical engineering, this will be a useful reference and study aid.