Stimuli-responsive biomaterial constructs for the engineering and regeneration of soft tissues and wound healing

The field of biomaterials has advanced significantly with the emergence of stimuli-responsive constructs specifically designed to interact dynamically with biological systems. In the context of soft tissue regeneration and wound healing, the integration of smart biomaterials capable of detecting and reacting to environmental cues—such as changes in pH, enzyme concentrations, or mechanical stress—holds great promise for improving biomaterial integration, accelerating tissue repair, and restoring function. However, conventional materials used for soft tissue engineering cannot often modulate their properties or deliver therapeutic actions in situ, thereby limiting their functional outcomes in biological environments. Addressing these challenges has catalyzed innovative research at the intersection of materials science, biomedical engineering, and cell biology.Recent studies have demonstrated the design of biomaterials that can undergo structural or functional changes in response to specific physiological stimuli, enabling controlled release of biologics, enhanced tissue remodelling, and more precise modulation of cellular activity. These advances include the synthesis of materials with tunable mechanics, engineered surface functionalities, and biochemical responsiveness, all tailored to the demands of soft tissue environments. Despite these strides, persistent questions remain regarding the optimization of biocompatibility, immunomodulation, degradation kinetics, and the elucidation of structure-property-function relationships critical for reliable regenerative outcomes. There is a need for greater understanding of how engineered biomaterial interfaces drive tissue-specific responses and how these systems can be effectively translated into clinically relevant applications.This Research Topic aims to consolidate innovative research on the design, characterization, and application of stimuli-responsive biomaterial constructs that enable adaptive interactions with soft tissues and support wound healing. Our objective is to advance the mechanistic understanding of how responsive biomaterials influence cell and tissue responses, promote regeneration, and drive the development of smart hybrid materials for applied biomedical functions. Key research questions include: What are the critical material design features for responsiveness and biocompatibility? How do these materials interact with native tissues at the cellular and molecular levels? What new strategies can improve on-demand therapeutic delivery and controlled structural adaptation in vivo?The scope of this Research Topic is confined to fundamental and applied studies of biomaterials for soft tissue and wound applications that employ responsive, biomimetic, or adaptive design features. Clinical studies and drug discovery-focused submissions will not be considered. To gather further insights in this area, we welcome articles addressing, but not limited to, the following themes:- Design and synthesis of stimuli-responsive biomaterials for soft tissue engineering- Structure-property-function relationships in adaptive biomaterial systems- Biocompatibility, immunological, and toxicology studies of smart biomaterials- Functionalization and surface engineering for optimized cellular interactions- Controlled release systems and bioresponsive delivery of therapeutic agents- Methods of in vitro and in vivo characterization of biomaterial-tissue integration- Sustainable and scalable approaches for smart material fabrication Topic editors: Manishekhar Kumar, Ashutosh Bandyopadhyay, Murat Guvendiren, Rajiv Borah Source: https://www.frontiersin.org/research-topics/76021/stimuli-responsive-biomaterial-constructs-for-the-engineering-and-regeneration-of-soft-tissues-and-wound-healing