Advanced Chitosan-Based Platforms: Bridging Biomedical Innovation and Environmental Sustainability

Chitosan-based materials have emerged as a vital area in nanobiotechnology, bridging advances in materials science with pressing needs in both biomedical applications and environmental remediation. Chitosan’s biocompatibility, tunable chemical structure, and inherent bioactivity have led to its widespread use in creating functional nanoplatforms for intelligent drug delivery, regenerative medicine, and the removal of emerging contaminants from water systems. Current research highlights significant advancements in the synthesis of hybrid materials, where chitosan is grafted with stimuli-responsive polymers to enable enhanced control over cargo release, flocculation efficiency, and interactions with complex biological or aquatic environments. However, the translation of these innovations—from lab-scale synthesis to clinical therapies or industrial water treatment—still encounters challenges.This Research Topic aims to showcase recent breakthroughs and multidisciplinary efforts in developing and characterizing chitosan-based "smart" platforms. We seek to advance the understanding of nanoscale mechanisms underlying drug/nutraceutical loading, targeted delivery, and the bio-flocculation of pollutants. Submissions capturing the interface between nano-engineering, environmental science, and translational medicine are particularly welcome.To gather further insights into the advancement and deployment of chitosan structures, we welcome articles addressing, but not limited to, the following themes:- Intelligent chitosan nanocarriers for targeted and stimuli-responsive (pH/temperature) drug and nutraceutical delivery.- Chitosan-based hybrid materials and flocculants for the removal of emerging contaminants and metallic nanoparticles from water.- Functionalization and structural engineering of chitosan, including grafting with responsive polymers (e.g., P7NIPAAm, PNVCL).- Smart chitosan hydrogels and surfactant-free microemulsions for wound healing and regenerative medicine.- Nanoencapsulation of phytochemicals and bioactive extracts for health-promoting applications.- Physicochemical characterization and the study of polyelectrolyte complexes (PECs) in biological or environmental media.- Translational and regulatory challenges in the clinical or industrial deployment of chitosan-based nanobiomaterials. Topic editors: Lorenzo Antonio Picos Corrales, Devesh U Kapoor, Jose P. Ruelas-Leyva Source: https://www.frontiersin.org/research-topics/79054/advanced-chitosan-based-platforms-bridging-biomedical-innovation-and-environmental-sustainability