Hybrid and Composite Biomaterials for Healthcare: Toward Innovative Approaches

Dear Colleagues,

Several biomedical applications require 2D/3D supports or “scaffolds” for favoring cell colonization and activity and allow tissue repair. This is the case, for example, in bone regeneration and wound healing, but also for the development of matrices for in vitro 3D cell cultures, up to the fabrication of organoids. In all cases, in addition to being biocompatible, such engineered scaffolds should display adapted mechanical resistance and/or flexibility, a propitious surface state for the envisioned application, and possible biodegradability. Furthermore, in view of obtaining an optimal biological response, the scaffolds may advantageously exhibit bioactive features which may be either intrinsic to the constitution of the scaffold itself or conveyed by association with biologically active ions or (bio)molecules/drugs. To reach these multifold goals, a combination of several components in the constitution of these biomaterials can prove particularly relevant in view of enhanced or complementary properties, leading to composite or hybrid systems: while composites essentially involve “physical” interactions between the phases (organic, mineral, metallic), hybrids encompass more “chemical” interactions down to the molecular scale. Synergistic effects may then be obtained through the adequate selection of the constituting subparts of the composite/hybrid biomaterials. Whether aiming at the fabrication of implantable medical devices or developing in vitro supports for cells, novel strategies are being developed toward more efficient and less invasive approaches for tomorrow’s medicine.

In this context, this Special Issue aims to gather, in a single open-access Special Issue, the latest innovative approaches regarding 2D or 3D hybrid or composite biomaterials, possibly associated with ionic or molecular active agents, where the intrinsic characteristics of each component bring specific added-value features in view of improved biological response.

Considering your expertise in the domain, it is our pleasure to invite you to contribute to this Special Issue. Reviews, full papers, and short communications would be greatly appreciated.

Dr. Christophe Drouet
Dr. Sylvain Le Grill
Guest Editors

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• hybrids
• composites
• 2D and 3D scaffolds
• additive manufacturing
• cold sintering
• bone regeneration
• wound healing
• architectured materials
• 3D cell culture
• organoids