Advances in Tissue Decellularisation: From Extracellular Matrix Engineering and Sustainable Processing to Preservation Strategies and Translational Applications

Decellularised tissues and decellularised extracellular matrix (dECM)-derived platforms have become central to tissue engineering and regenerative medicine because they offer biologically relevant structural, biochemical, and mechanical cues that can support cell adhesion, differentiation, immunomodulation, and tissue repair. However, the regenerative and engineering performance of these materials depends heavily on how tissues are processed. Decellularisation and preservation methods can profoundly affect ECM composition, ultrastructure, bioactivity, and batch-to-batch consistency. At the same time, increasing attention is being given to more sustainable sources and processing strategies, as well as to robust quality control frameworks that can support clinical translation. There is therefore a strong need to integrate biological functionality, process innovation, and translational readiness in the development of next-generation regenerative dECM-based materials.This Research Topic aims to highlight recent advances in the decellularisation, preservation, and post-processing of decellularised tissues and dECM-based biomaterials designed for tissue engineering and regenerative applications. It will showcase strategies that preserve or enhance key ECM functions while reducing adverse effects on matrix integrity and therapeutic potential. In particular, the Topic seeks contributions addressing functionalisation approaches that improve cell instructiveness, immunomodulatory performance, delivery of bioactive factors, or tissue-specific regenerative outcomes. It also welcomes studies on sustainable tissue sources and “green” decellularisation workflows, including methods that reduce toxicity, reagent burden, water consumption, processing time, or environmental impact without compromising matrix quality. A further objective is to capture translationally relevant work on standardisation, characterisation, preservation, storage, sterilisation, and quality assurance, helping bridge the gap between promising laboratory protocols and reproducible, scalable products for preclinical and clinical use. By bringing these areas together, the collection will provide a timely overview of how dECMs processing can be optimised to support safer, more effective regenerative therapies and even modelling platforms.This Research Topic welcomes original research, reviews, mini reviews, methods, and perspectives focused on decellularised tissues, dECM-derived scaffolds, hydrogels, bioinks, and related platforms. Relevant themes include:• Mechanisms and optimisation of tissue- and organ-specific decellularisation• Matrix preservation and storage strategies• Engineering dECM for recellularisation and functional integration• Biochemical or physical functionalisation of the dECM • Sustainable tissue sources and processing technologies• Advanced in vitro and in vivo functional assessment• Analytical methods for evaluating residual cellular content, matrix composition, mechanics, immunogenicity, sterility, and reproducibilitySubmissions with clear translational relevance are particularly encouraged, including studies on manufacturing scalability, regulatory considerations, and quality control pipelines. Contributions should emphasise how processing influences dECM biofunctionality and diagnosis/therapy efficacy, with strong relevance to tissue engineering and regenerative medicine applications. Topic editors: Viviana Pinto Ribeiro, Sara Amorim, Víctor Carriel Source: https://www.frontiersin.org/research-topics/82399/advances-in-tissue-decellularisation-from-extracellular-matrix-engineering-and-sustainable-processing-to-preservation-strategies-and-translational-applications