With the advent of technology, the role of nanomaterials in medicine has grown exponentially in the last few decades. The main advantage of such materials has been exploited in drug delivery applications, due to their effective targeting that in turn reduces systemic toxicity compared to the conventional routes of drug administration. Even though these materials offer broad flexibility based on targeting tissue, disease, and drug payload, the demand for more effective yet highly biocompatible nanomaterial-based drugs is increasing. While therapeutically improved and safe materials have been introduced in nanomedicine platforms, issues related to their degradation rates and bio-distribution still exist, thus making their successful translation for human use very challenging. Researchers are constantly improving upon novel nanomaterials that are safer and more effective not only as therapeutic agents but as diagnostic tools as well, making the research in the field of nanomedicine ever more fascinating. In this review stress has been made on the evolution of nanomaterials that have been approved for clinical applications by the United States Food and Drug Administration Agency (FDA).

No abstract

Biophysical cues can potently direct a cell's or tissue's behavior. Cells interpret their biophysical surroundings, such as matrix stiffness or dynamic mechanical stimulation, through mechanotransduction. However, our understanding of the various aspects of mechanotransduction has been limited by the lack of proper analysis platforms capable of screening three-dimensional (3D) cellular behaviors in response to biophysical cues. Here, we developed a dynamic compression bioreactor to study the combinational effects of biomaterial composition and dynamic mechanical compression on cellular behavior in 3D hydrogels. The bioreactor contained multiple actuating posts that could apply cyclic compressive strains ranging from 0 to 42% to arrays of cell-encapsulated hydrogels. The bioreactor could be interconnected with other compressive bioreactors, which enabled the combinatorial screenings of 3D cellular behaviors simultaneously. As an application of the screening platform, cell spreading, and osteogenic differentiation of human mesenchymal stem cells (hMSCs) were characterized in 3D gelatin methacryloyl (GelMA) hydrogels. Increasing hydrogel concentration from 5 to 10% restricted the cell spreading, however, dynamic compressive strain increased cell spreading. Osteogenic differentiation of hMSCs was also affected by dynamic compressive strains. hMSCs in 5% GelMA hydrogel were more sensitive to strains, and the 42% strain group showed a significant increase in osteogenic differentiation compared to other groups. The interconnectable dynamic compression bioreactor provides an efficient way to study the interactions of cells and their physical microenvironments in three dimensions.

No abstract

Wound repair is a complex process that has not been entirely understood. It can conclude in several irregularities. Hence, designing an appropriate wound dressing that can accelerate the healing period is critical. Infections, a major obstacle to wound repair, cause an elevated inflammatory responses and result in ultimate outcome of incomplete and prolonged wound repair. To overcome these shortcomings, there is a growing requirement for antibacterial wound dressings. Dressings with antibacterial activities and multifunctional behaviors are highly anticipated to avoid the wound infection for successful healing. The aim of this review is not only to concentrate on the importance of antibacterial dressings for wound healing applications but also to discuss recent studies and some future perspectives about antibacterial wound dressings.

Corneal defects are associated with corneal tissue engineering in terms of vision loss. The treatment of corneal defects is an important clinical challenge due to uniform corneal thickness and the...

No abstract

Traumatic injuries, tumor resections, and degenerative diseases can damage skeletal muscle and lead to functional impairment and severe disability. Skeletal muscle regeneration is a complex process that depends on various cell types, signaling molecules, architectural cues, and physicochemical properties to be successful. To promote muscle repair and regeneration, various strategies for skeletal muscle tissue engineering have been developed in the last decades. However, there is still a high demand for the development of new methods and materials that promote skeletal muscle repair and functional regeneration to bring approaches closer to therapies in the clinic that structurally and functionally repair muscle. The combination of stem cells, biomaterials, and biomolecules is used to induce skeletal muscle regeneration. In this review, we provide an overview of different cell types used to treat skeletal muscle injury, highlight current strategies in biomaterial-based approaches, the importance of topography for the successful creation of functional striated muscle fibers, and discuss novel methods for muscle regeneration and challenges for their future clinical implementation.