Search for Articles:
Title / Keyword
Author / Affiliation / Email
Journal
Article Type
 
 
Advanced Search
 
Section
Special Issue
Volume
Issue
Number
Page
 
5.0
4.8
Journals
JFB
Special Issues
Bioinspired Materials for Medical and Biotechnological Applications
share announcement

Bioinspired Materials for Medical and Biotechnological Applications

A special issue of Journal of Functional Biomaterials (ISSN 2079-4983).

Deadline for manuscript submissions: closed (31 August 2022) | Viewed by 27192

Special Issue Editors

Dr. John G. Hardy

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
1. Department of Chemistry, Faraday Building, Lancaster University, Lancaster LA1 4YB, UK
2. Materials Science Institute, Faraday Building, Lancaster University, Lancaster LA1 4YB, UK
Interests: polymer synthesis; supramolecular materials; biomaterials; stimuli-responsive materials; drug delivery; tissue engineering; sustainability
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals
Prof. Dr. Elżbieta Pamuła

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
Department of Biomaterials and Composites, Faculty of Materials Science and Ceramics, AGH University of Science and Technology, 30-059 Kraków, Poland
Interests: biomaterials; composites; drug delivery systems; nanomedicine
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals
Dr. Timothy E. L. Douglas

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
Engineering Department, Lancaster University, Gillow Avenue, Lancaster LA1 4YW, UK
Interests: hydrogels; implant coatings; composites; biopolymers; languages in science
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals
Dr. Marloes Peeters

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
School of Engineering, Newcastle University, Newcastle upon Tyne, Tyne and Wear NE1 7RU, UK
Interests: molecularly imprinted polymers (MIPs); sensors; electrochemistry; polymer synthesis; sustainable healthcare; thermal analysis
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

Nature is a practically inexhaustible source of inspiration for the design of synthetic materials. Hence, “bio-inspired materials” is a practically limitless field. In this Special Issue, we will focus on applications in medicine and biotechnology, where materials interact with biological systems, tissues, cells, and microorganisms to invoke the required response in a specific application. For example, we usually do not need microorganism growth in medicine, but we often need it in biotechnology. Characteristics of bio-inspired materials which are relevant for their performance may include, but are not limited to, topographical, chemical, mechanical, and electrical properties. Due to the wide scope of bio-inspired materials, contributions relating to biomaterials, tissue engineering, and biomimetics are also welcome.

Dr. John G. Hardy
Prof. Dr. Elzbieta Pamula
Dr. Timothy E.L. Douglas
Dr. Marloes Peeters
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. Journal of Functional Biomaterials is an international peer-reviewed open access monthly journal published by MDPI.

Please visit the Instructions for Authors page before submitting a manuscript. The Article Processing Charge (APC) for publication in this open access journal is 2700 CHF (Swiss Francs). 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

  • biomimetics
  • biocomposites
  • bioinspired
  • biotechnology
  • biomaterials
  • tissue engineering

Published Papers (8 papers)

Download All Papers
Order results
Result details
Show export options expand_more Show export options expand_less
Select all
Export citation of selected articles as:

Research

Jump to: Review

11 pages, 3070 KiB  
Article
Preliminary Results on Heparin-Modified Double-Layered PCL and PLA-Based Scaffolds for Tissue Engineering of Small Blood Vessels
by Patrycja Domalik-Pyzik and Anna Morawska-Chochół
J. Funct. Biomater. 2022, 13(1), 11; https://doi.org/10.3390/jfb13010011 - 27 Jan 2022
Cited by 2 | Viewed by 2694
Abstract
Low-diameter blood vessels are challenging to replace with more traditional synthetic vascular grafts. Therefore, the obvious choice is to try to regenerate small veins and arteries through tissue-engineering approaches. However, the layered structure of native vessels and blood compatibility issues make this a [...] Read more.
Low-diameter blood vessels are challenging to replace with more traditional synthetic vascular grafts. Therefore, the obvious choice is to try to regenerate small veins and arteries through tissue-engineering approaches. However, the layered structure of native vessels and blood compatibility issues make this a very challenging task. The aim of this study is to create double-layered tubular scaffolds with enhanced anticoagulant properties for the tissue engineering of small blood vessels. The scaffolds were made of a polycaprolactone-based porous outer layer and a polylactide-based electrospun inner layer modified with heparin. The combination of thermally induced phase separation and electrospinning resulted in asymmetric scaffolds with improved mechanical properties. The release assay confirmed that heparin is released from the scaffolds. Additionally, anticoagulant activity was shown through APTT (activated partial thromboplastin time) assay. Interestingly, the endothelial cell culture test revealed that after 14 days of culture, HAECs (human aortic endothelial cell lines) tended to organize in chain-like structures, typical for early stages of vascular formation. In the longer culture, HAEC viability was higher for the heparin-modified scaffolds. The proposed scaffold design and composition have great potential for application in tissue engineering of small blood vessels. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Bioinspired Materials for Medical and Biotechnological Applications)
►▼ Show Figures

Figure 1

20 pages, 5113 KiB  
Article
Surface Functionalization of Poly(l-lactide-co-glycolide) Membranes with RGD-Grafted Poly(2-oxazoline) for Periodontal Tissue Engineering
by Anna M. Tryba, Małgorzata Krok-Borkowicz, Michał Kula, Natalia Piergies, Mateusz Marzec, Erik Wegener, Justyna Frączyk, Rainer Jordan, Beata Kolesińska, Dieter Scharnweber, Czesława Paluszkiewicz and Elżbieta Pamuła
J. Funct. Biomater. 2022, 13(1), 4; https://doi.org/10.3390/jfb13010004 - 07 Jan 2022
Cited by 12 | Viewed by 3410
Abstract
Bone tissue defects resulting from periodontal disease are often treated using guided tissue regeneration (GTR). The barrier membranes utilized here should prevent soft tissue infiltration into the bony defect and simultaneously support bone regeneration. In this study, we designed a degradable poly(l [...] Read more.
Bone tissue defects resulting from periodontal disease are often treated using guided tissue regeneration (GTR). The barrier membranes utilized here should prevent soft tissue infiltration into the bony defect and simultaneously support bone regeneration. In this study, we designed a degradable poly(l-lactide-co-glycolide) (PLGA) membrane that was surface-modified with cell adhesive arginine-glycine-aspartic acid (RGD) motifs. For a novel method of membrane manufacture, the RGD motifs were coupled with the non-ionic amphiphilic polymer poly(2-oxazoline) (POx). The RGD-containing membranes were then prepared by solvent casting of PLGA, POx coupled with RGD (POx_RGD), and poly(ethylene glycol) (PEG) solution in methylene chloride (DCM), followed by DCM evaporation and PEG leaching. Successful coupling of RGD to POx was confirmed spectroscopically by Raman, Fourier transform infrared in attenuated reflection mode (FTIR-ATR), and X-ray photoelectron (XPS) spectroscopy, while successful immobilization of POx_RGD on the membrane surface was confirmed by XPS and FTIR-ATR. The resulting membranes had an asymmetric microstructure, as shown by scanning electron microscopy (SEM), where the glass-cured surface was more porous and had a higher surface area then the air-cured surface. The higher porosity should support bone tissue regeneration, while the air-cured side is more suited to preventing soft tissue infiltration. The behavior of osteoblast-like cells on PLGA membranes modified with POx_RGD was compared to cell behavior on PLGA foil, non-modified PLGA membranes, or PLGA membranes modified only with POx. For this, MG-63 cells were cultured for 4, 24, and 96 h on the membranes and analyzed by metabolic activity tests, live/dead staining, and fluorescent staining of actin fibers. The results showed bone cell adhesion, proliferation, and viability to be the highest on membranes modified with POx_RGD, making them possible candidates for GTR applications in periodontology and in bone tissue engineering. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Bioinspired Materials for Medical and Biotechnological Applications)
►▼ Show Figures

Figure 1

17 pages, 6594 KiB  
Article
Electron Beam-Treated Enzymatically Mineralized Gelatin Hydrogels for Bone Tissue Engineering
by Stefanie Riedel, Daniel Ward, Radmila Kudláčková, Karolina Mazur, Lucie Bačáková, Jemma G. Kerns, Sarah L. Allinson, Lorna Ashton, Robert Koniezcny, Stefan G. Mayr and Timothy E. L. Douglas
J. Funct. Biomater. 2021, 12(4), 57; https://doi.org/10.3390/jfb12040057 - 08 Oct 2021
Cited by 3 | Viewed by 2670
Abstract
Biological hydrogels are highly promising materials for bone tissue engineering (BTE) due to their high biocompatibility and biomimetic characteristics. However, for advanced and customized BTE, precise tools for material stabilization and tuning material properties are desired while optimal mineralisation must be ensured. Therefore, [...] Read more.
Biological hydrogels are highly promising materials for bone tissue engineering (BTE) due to their high biocompatibility and biomimetic characteristics. However, for advanced and customized BTE, precise tools for material stabilization and tuning material properties are desired while optimal mineralisation must be ensured. Therefore, reagent-free crosslinking techniques such as high energy electron beam treatment promise effective material modifications without formation of cytotoxic by-products. In the case of the hydrogel gelatin, electron beam crosslinking further induces thermal stability enabling biomedical application at physiological temperatures. In the case of enzymatic mineralisation, induced by Alkaline Phosphatase (ALP) and mediated by Calcium Glycerophosphate (CaGP), it is necessary to investigate if electron beam treatment before mineralisation has an influence on the enzymatic activity and thus affects the mineralisation process. The presented study investigates electron beam-treated gelatin hydrogels with previously incorporated ALP and successive mineralisation via incubation in a medium containing CaGP. It could be shown that electron beam treatment optimally maintains enzymatic activity of ALP which allows mineralisation. Furthermore, the precise tuning of material properties such as increasing compressive modulus is possible. This study characterizes the mineralised hydrogels in terms of mineral formation and demonstrates the formation of CaP in dependence of ALP concentration and electron dose. Furthermore, investigations of uniaxial compression stability indicate increased compression moduli for mineralised electron beam-treated gelatin hydrogels. In summary, electron beam-treated mineralized gelatin hydrogels reveal good cytocompatibility for MG-63 osteoblast like cells indicating a high potential for BTE applications. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Bioinspired Materials for Medical and Biotechnological Applications)
►▼ Show Figures

Figure 1

17 pages, 7753 KiB  
Article
Physico-Chemical Properties and Biocompatibility of Thermosensitive Chitosan Lactate and Chitosan Chloride Hydrogels Developed for Tissue Engineering Application
by Katarzyna Pieklarz, Grzegorz Galita, Michał Tylman, Waldemar Maniukiewicz, Ewa Kucharska, Ireneusz Majsterek and Zofia Modrzejewska
J. Funct. Biomater. 2021, 12(2), 37; https://doi.org/10.3390/jfb12020037 - 20 May 2021
Cited by 17 | Viewed by 3938
Abstract
Recently, the modification of the initial structure of biopolymers, mainly chitosan, has been gaining importance with a view to obtain functional forms with increased practicality and specific properties enabling their use in tissue engineering. Therefore, in this article, the properties (structural and biological) [...] Read more.
Recently, the modification of the initial structure of biopolymers, mainly chitosan, has been gaining importance with a view to obtain functional forms with increased practicality and specific properties enabling their use in tissue engineering. Therefore, in this article, the properties (structural and biological) of thermosensitive hydrogels obtained from chitosan lactate/chloride and two types of crosslinking agents (β-glycerol phosphate disodium salt pentahydrate and uridine 5′-monophosphate disodium salt) are discussed. The aim of the research is to identify changes in the structure of the biomaterials during conditioning in water. Structural investigations were carried out by FTIR spectroscopy. The crystallinity of gels was determined by X-ray diffraction analysis. The biocompatibility (evaluation of cytotoxicity and genotoxicity) of chitosan hydrogels was investigated by contact with human colon adenocarcinoma cell line for 48 h. The cytotoxicity was verified based on the colorimetric resazurin assay, and the genotoxicity was checked by the comet assay (percentage of DNA in the comet tail). The conducted research showed that the analyzed types of chitosan hydrogels are non-cytotoxic and non-genotoxic materials. The good biocompatibility of chitosan hydrogels surfaces makes them interesting scaffolds with clinical potential in tissue regeneration engineering. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Bioinspired Materials for Medical and Biotechnological Applications)
►▼ Show Figures

Graphical abstract

16 pages, 5409 KiB  
Article
Synthesis and Characterization of Polymer-Based Coatings Modified with Bioactive Ceramic and Bovine Serum Albumin
by Wioletta Florkiewicz, Dagmara Słota, Angelika Placek, Klaudia Pluta, Bożena Tyliszczak, Timothy E. L. Douglas and Agnieszka Sobczak-Kupiec
J. Funct. Biomater. 2021, 12(2), 21; https://doi.org/10.3390/jfb12020021 - 30 Mar 2021
Cited by 15 | Viewed by 3131
Abstract
This study involves the synthesis of hydroxyapatite and describes the preparation and characterization of polymer coatings based on poly(ethylene glycol) diacrylate and poly(ethylene glycol) and modified with bovine serum albumin and hydroxyapatite. Hydroxyapatite was obtained by wet chemical synthesis and characterized by X-ray [...] Read more.
This study involves the synthesis of hydroxyapatite and describes the preparation and characterization of polymer coatings based on poly(ethylene glycol) diacrylate and poly(ethylene glycol) and modified with bovine serum albumin and hydroxyapatite. Hydroxyapatite was obtained by wet chemical synthesis and characterized by X-ray diffraction and FTIR spectroscopy, and its Ca/P molar ratio was determined (1.69 ± 0.08). The ceramic and bovine serum albumin were used in the preparation of composite materials with the polymeric matrix. The chemical composition of coatings was characterized with FTIR spectroscopy, and their morphology was recorded with SEM imaging. Moreover, the measurements of surface roughness parameters and stereometric research were performed. The prepared coatings were subjected to in vitro studies in simulated body fluid and artificial saliva. Changes in chemical composition and morphology after immersion were examined with FTIR spectroscopy and SEM imaging. Based on the conducted research, it can be stated that applied modifiers promote the biomineralization process. The roughness analysis confirmed prepared materials were characterized by the micrometer-scale topography. The materials morphology and roughness, and the morphology of the newly formed apatite deposit, were dependent on the type of the used modifier, and the artificial fluid used in in vitro studies. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Bioinspired Materials for Medical and Biotechnological Applications)
►▼ Show Figures

Figure 1

15 pages, 21139 KiB  
Article
MTMS-Based Aerogel Constructs for Immobilization of Plant Hairy Roots: Effects on Proliferation of Rindera graeca Biomass and Extracellular Secretion of Naphthoquinones
by Bartosz Nowak, Mateusz Kawka, Kamil Wierzchowski, Katarzyna Sykłowska-Baranek and Maciej Pilarek
J. Funct. Biomater. 2021, 12(1), 19; https://doi.org/10.3390/jfb12010019 - 05 Mar 2021
Cited by 9 | Viewed by 2621
Abstract
Unique biosynthetic abilities revealed by plants determine in vitro cultures of hairy roots as a suitable source of pharmaceutically relevant bioactive compounds. The basic aim of the study was to examine the applicability of aerogel composed of methyltrimethoxysilane (MTMS) for immobilization of Rindera [...] Read more.
Unique biosynthetic abilities revealed by plants determine in vitro cultures of hairy roots as a suitable source of pharmaceutically relevant bioactive compounds. The basic aim of the study was to examine the applicability of aerogel composed of methyltrimethoxysilane (MTMS) for immobilization of Rindera graeca hairy roots by identifying quantitative effects of biomass proliferation and naphthoquinones extracellular secretion in the aerogel-supported culture system. R. graeca hairy roots were simultaneously cultured for 28-days, as (i) nonimmobilized biomass (reference system), (ii) biomass immobilized on macroporous polyurethane foam (PUF), (iii) biomass with disintegrated MTMS aerogel, (iv) biomass immobilized on polypropylene (PP) fibers (as control), and (v) biomass immobilized on monolithic PP-reinforced MTMS aerogel. MTMS aerogel exhibited high level of biocompatibility toward R. graeca hairy roots which grew into the structure of monolithic aerogel-based constructs. Monolithic MTMS-based constructs significantly promoted the proliferation of hairy roots, resulting in 55% higher fresh mass than the reference system. The highest level of naphthoquinones productivity, i.e., 653 µg gDW−1, was noted for PUF-supported culture system. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Bioinspired Materials for Medical and Biotechnological Applications)
►▼ Show Figures

Graphical abstract

16 pages, 6683 KiB  
Article
Long-Term Assessment of the In Vitro Corrosion Resistance of Biomimetic ACP Coatings Electrodeposited from an Acetate Bath
by Patrycja Osak, Joanna Maszybrocka, Julian Kubisztal, Patryk Ratajczak and Bożena Łosiewicz
J. Funct. Biomater. 2021, 12(1), 12; https://doi.org/10.3390/jfb12010012 - 07 Feb 2021
Cited by 13 | Viewed by 2454
Abstract
Calcium phosphate coatings are able to improve the osseointegration process due to their chemical composition, which is similar to that of bone tissues. In this work, to increase the long-term corrosion resistance and to improve the osseointegration process of commercially pure titanium Grade [...] Read more.
Calcium phosphate coatings are able to improve the osseointegration process due to their chemical composition, which is similar to that of bone tissues. In this work, to increase the long-term corrosion resistance and to improve the osseointegration process of commercially pure titanium Grade 4 (CpTi G4), biomimetic amorphous calcium phosphate (ACP) coatings were electrodeposited for the first time from an acetate bath with a pH level of 7.0 and a Ca:P ratio of 1.67. ACP coatings were obtained on CpTi G4 substrate subjected to sandblasting and autoclaving using electrochemically assisted deposition at a potential of −3 V relative to the open circuit potential for 30 min at room temperature. SEM, EDS, 2D roughness profiles, amplitude-sensitive eddy current method, and Kelvin scanning probe were used for the surface characterization of the biomaterial under study. In vitro corrosion resistance tests were conducted for 21 days in artificial saliva using open circuit potential, polarization curves, and electrochemical impedance spectroscopy measurements. The passive-transpassive behavior was revealed for the obtained ACP coatings. The long-term corrosion resistance test showed a deterioration of the protective properties for CpTi G4 uncoated and coated with ACP with immersion time. The mechanism and kinetics of the pitting corrosion on the CpTi G4|TiO2|ACP coating system are discussed in detail. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Bioinspired Materials for Medical and Biotechnological Applications)
►▼ Show Figures

Figure 1

Review

Jump to: Research

32 pages, 6894 KiB  
Review
Advances in Fabricating the Electrospun Biopolymer-Based Biomaterials
by Sebastian Wilk and Aleksandra Benko
J. Funct. Biomater. 2021, 12(2), 26; https://doi.org/10.3390/jfb12020026 - 16 Apr 2021
Cited by 29 | Viewed by 4557
Abstract
Biopolymers formed into a fibrous morphology through electrospinning are of increasing interest in the field of biomedicine due to their intrinsic biocompatibility and biodegradability and their ability to be biomimetic to various fibrous structures present in animal tissues. However, their mechanical properties are [...] Read more.
Biopolymers formed into a fibrous morphology through electrospinning are of increasing interest in the field of biomedicine due to their intrinsic biocompatibility and biodegradability and their ability to be biomimetic to various fibrous structures present in animal tissues. However, their mechanical properties are often unsatisfactory and their processing may be troublesome. Thus, extensive research interest is focused on improving these qualities. This review article presents the selection of the recent advances in techniques aimed to improve the electrospinnability of various biopolymers (polysaccharides, polynucleotides, peptides, and phospholipids). The electrospinning of single materials, and the variety of co-polymers, with and without additives, is covered. Additionally, various crosslinking strategies are presented. Examples of cytocompatibility, biocompatibility, and antimicrobial properties are analyzed. Special attention is given to whey protein isolate as an example of a novel, promising, green material with good potential in the field of biomedicine. This review ends with a brief summary and outlook for the biomedical applicability of electrospinnable biopolymers. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Bioinspired Materials for Medical and Biotechnological Applications)
►▼ Show Figures

Figure 1

Show export options expand_more Show export options expand_less
Select all
Export citation of selected articles as:
 
Displaying articles 1-8
Back to TopTop