The native extracellular matrix provides dynamic and spatially heterogeneous microstructural, mechanical, and compositional cues that can influence cell behavior. The ability to mimic such complex in vivo cell-microenvironmental interactions is essential to the success of an implant biomaterial. To direct and control cell behavior, surface modification methods have been developed for scaffolds where cell contact is expected primarily at the scaffold surface. As tissue engineering research has progressed with three-dimensional scaffolds, the ability to promote cellular in-growth and/or sustain the growth of cells already incorporated into the scaffold must be considered. New strategies will be required to address such challenges. Innovative approaches to engineer cell-biomaterial interactions may be utilized to regulate three-dimensional orientation and architecture of cells, control cell-cell contact and communication with microscale resolution, and direct cell behavior to achieve appropriate biological function. 

For this second volume of the Special Issue on “Cell-Biomaterial Interactions” (Vol I), we are inviting original research papers and comprehensive reviews on all innovative developments that provide fundamental insights about cell-biomaterial interactions including, but not limited to, the following topics:

• Integration of microstructural, mechanical, and compositional cues for engineering complex tissue systems
• Substrate guided stem cell behavior
• Interactions of specific cell types with materials
• Modification of three-dimensional biomaterial scaffolds by grafting and patterning of small molecules, polymers, and/or ligands
• Characterization methods to ascertain a successfully modified three-dimensional scaffold and cellular interactions with such scaffolds
• New developments in materials that are responsive to environmental cues (e.g., temperature, pH, mechanical or electrical stimuli, or cellular products)

Prof. Amol Janorkar
Prof. Dr. Eben Alsberg
Dr. Gulden Camci-Unal
Guest Editors

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