Bioactive, Biomimetic, and Bioresponsive Protein-Based Biomaterials: From Tissue Engineering to Ex Vivo Tumor Modeling

The design of biomaterials has shifted from passive structural supports to dynamic, cell-instructive platforms. Bioactive, biomimetic, and bioresponsive biomaterials leverage biochemical, topographical, and mechanical cues to actively direct cell fate, coordinate tissue regeneration, or reconstruct complex pathological microenvironments outside the body. Among these, structural proteins—such as mulberry and nonmulberry silk fibroin, sericin, collagen, and decellularized matrices—stand at the forefront of biomedical innovation due to their outstanding biocompatibility, tunable mechanical properties, controllable biodegradation, and native cell-adhesive motifs.Recent advances have expanded our capacity to manipulate these protein biopolymers through self-assembly, biomineralization, surface functionalization, and advanced 3D fabrication. These techniques enable the engineering of highly sophisticated 3D architectures, ranging from hierarchically structured osteochondral and bone scaffolds to physiological barrier membranes and ex vivo tumor microtissues. When coupled with controlled-release systems for therapeutic agents or physiological biosensing, these biomimetic constructs serve as powerful bridges between basic materials science and clinical translation.This Research Topic seeks to compile cutting-edge research on the design, characterization, and application of protein-based and composite biomaterials that incorporate bioactive, biomimetic, or bioresponsive properties. We welcome submissions focusing on the fundamental structure–property–function relationships of these materials in both regenerative medicine and ex vivo disease modeling.In alignment with the Biomaterials section guidelines, manuscripts detailing clinical trials, pure drug discovery, or virology fall outside our scope, as do bibliometrics analyses. We welcome original research, reviews, and perspective articles on themes including, but not limited to:- Innovative protein-based and hybrid biomaterials (e.g., silk fibroin, sericin, collagen, decellularized ECM) for tissue engineering and regenerative medicine.- Biomimetic design strategies, including template-mediated self-assembly, nanotopography, and organic-inorganic biomineralization (such as calcium phosphate/hydroxyapatite composites).- Bioresponsive, smart, and stimuli-triggered biomaterials for the controlled, localized delivery of therapeutic agents, growth factors, or diagnostics.- Ex vivo 3D tissue and disease models, particularly heterotypic tumor-stroma microtissues, spheroids, and organ-on-chip platforms for studying cellular interactions.- Biocompatibility, hemocompatibility, and immunogenicity profiles of novel biopolymers and implantable matrices.- Heterogeneous interfaces and surface functionalization techniques to enhance osteoinduction, osseointegration, or targeted cellular attachment.- Novel characterization, sensing, and imaging modalities to monitor physiological events and material degradation within engineered 3D constructs. Topic editors: Banani Kundu, Virginia Brancato, Stefania Scialla Source: https://www.frontiersin.org/research-topics/84448/bioactive-biomimetic-and-bioresponsive-protein-based-biomaterials-from-tissue-engineering-to-ex-vivo-tumor-modeling