Biofabricated Neural Constructs, Microphysiological Models, and Sensing Interfaces for Functional Neuromodulation, Anesthesia, and Pain Research

Advances in biofabrication now allow the 3D assembly of cells, organoids, biomaterials, and bioactive molecules into physiologically relevant neural constructs. Traditional animal models and 2D cultures rarely reproduce the structural complexity, multicellular interactions, and electrophysiology of human neural tissue. Biofabrication strategies: 3D bioprinting, engineered bioinks, and scaffold assembly increasingly converge with neural organoids, assembloids, and organ-on-chip microphysiological systems to build better in vitro models. When these constructs are integrated with microelectrode arrays, biosensors, optical readouts, and closed-loop bioelectronics, they support real-time monitoring and modulation of neural activity. Together, biofabrication, modeling, and sensing form a single pipeline with strong translational value for anesthesia, analgesia, and pain research. Grounding this pipeline in neuroscience insight, computational design, and clinical validation further strengthens its scientific relevance and translational reach across the scientific, clinical, and industrial communities.This Research Topic centers on biofabrication of neural systems as the unifying thread, while spanning the modeling and sensing capabilities that make these constructs useful. We welcome studies that:1. Develop advanced biomaterials, bioinks, scaffolds, and fabrication strategies for neural constructs;2. Establish bioprinted or biofabricated neural organoids, assembloids, and organ-on-chip / microphysiological platforms with improved physiological relevance;3. Integrate microelectrode arrays, electrophysiological, biochemical, optical, or mechanical biosensors and bioelectronics for functional monitoring and closed-loop neuromodulation of these constructs;4. Apply the resulting platforms to anesthetic mechanism studies, analgesic discovery, drug screening, pain modeling, or neurotoxicity and neural-safety evaluation;5. Provide neuroscience insights that support a deeper mechanistic understanding of the neural systems being modeled;6. Employ computational approaches to the design of bioinks and printing processes, including modeling, simulation, or data-driven optimization of fabrication;7. Report clinical validation, or translational studies that link biofabricated neural platforms to clinical evidence and application.This Research Topic is anchored in the biofabrication of neural systems, extending into engineered neural models and integrated sensing. We welcome contributions across the following areas, but not limited to:• Biofabrication of neural tissues o Neural biomaterials and bioinks o 3D-bioprinted neural constructs o Scaffold design and scaffold-based assembly of neural functional units o Computational design and optimization of bioinks and printing processes• Engineered neural models o Biofabricated neural organoids and assembloids o Neural organ-on-chip and microphysiological systems o Strategies that improve physiological relevance and reproducibility of in vitro neural models o Neuroscience insights supporting the design and interpretation of engineered neural models• Sensing and neuromodulation interfaces o Microelectrode arrays and flexible bioelectronic interfaces o Multimodal biosensors (electrical, biochemical, optical, mechanical) o Optoelectronic interfaces and closed-loop, on-chip stimulation• Translational applications o Anesthetic and analgesic drug screening o Mechanistic studies of neural responses to anesthetics o In vitro pain modeling and on-chip neuromodulation o Neurotoxicity and neural-safety assessment o Clinical validation of biofabricated neural platformsPlease note: Submissions should combine at least two of the three core pillars: fabrication, engineered neural model, and integrated sensing, so every contribution connects back to the biofabrication core. Complementary neuroscience, computational, and clinical validation studies are welcome where they support or connect to this biofabrication core.The following fall outside the scope: purely clinical studies, descriptive neuroscience, or purely computational work that have no connection to the biofabrication of neural systems. Topic editors: Si-Yuan Song, Weidong Liang, Haiyin Li Source: https://www.frontiersin.org/research-topics/84444/biofabricated-neural-constructs-microphysiological-models-and-sensing-interfaces-for-functional-neuromodulation-anesthesia-and-pain-research