Smart Biomaterials and Tissue Engineering Strategies for Musculoskeletal Regeneration

Musculoskeletal disorders remain a major cause of disability worldwide, creating substantial healthcare and socioeconomic burdens. Although biomaterial-based tissue engineering approaches have shown considerable promise for tissue repair, many conventional biomaterials function primarily as passive structural supports and lack the ability to dynamically respond to the changing regenerative microenvironment.Recent advances in smart biomaterials have enabled the development of regenerative systems capable of sensing and responding to biochemical, mechanical, electrical, magnetic, thermal, or immune-related cues. Through responsive and adaptive functionalities, these materials can actively regulate cellular behavior, therapeutic delivery, immune modulation, and tissue remodeling, thereby enhancing regenerative outcomes. The integration of smart biomaterials with advanced tissue engineering strategies is creating new opportunities to overcome current translational challenges and accelerate the development of next-generation therapies for musculoskeletal regeneration.This Research Topic aims to highlight emerging advances in smart biomaterials and tissue engineering strategies that actively interact with the regenerative microenvironment to enhance musculoskeletal regeneration. We seek contributions that move beyond conventional scaffold-based approaches and emphasize responsive, adaptive, programmable, sensing-enabled, or immunomodulatory functionalities. By bringing together expertise from biomaterials science, bioengineering, regenerative medicine, and translational research, this collection seeks to foster the development of next-generation regenerative platforms and accelerate their translation from laboratory innovation to clinical application.We welcome Original Research, Reviews, Mini Reviews, and Perspectives focusing on smart biomaterials and advanced tissue engineering strategies for musculoskeletal regeneration. Topics of interest include, but are not limited to:• Smart biomaterials for bone and osteochondral regeneration, including stimuli-responsive systems, bioactive scaffolds, and osteoimmunomodulatory approaches• Smart biomaterials for skeletal muscle, tendon, and ligament regeneration, including adaptive hydrogels, electroactive materials, and interface engineering strategies• Smart biomaterials for peripheral nerve and neuromuscular regeneration, including conductive biomaterials, bioelectronic interfaces, and controlled therapeutic delivery systems• Advanced biofabrication technologies, including 3D/4D bioprinting, electrospinning, melt electrowriting, and multifunctional biofabrication approaches for smart regenerative constructs• Intelligent and sensing-enabled regenerative systems, including bioelectronic platforms, AI-assisted biomaterial design, and real-time monitoring of tissue regeneration• Translational and clinically relevant studies, including preclinical validation, safety assessment, large-animal models, and early clinical applicationsSubmissions addressing complex tissue interfaces, including osteochondral, tendon–bone, myotendinous, and neuromuscular junction regeneration, are particularly encouraged. Topic editors: Jie Tan, Qian Li, Wen-Zhao Wang Source: https://www.frontiersin.org/research-topics/82258/smart-biomaterials-and-tissue-engineering-strategies-for-musculoskeletal-regeneration