Dear Colleagues,

The repair of bone defects originating from trauma, tumor resection, and bone diseases demands additional functional components to promote bone regeneration. The reconstruction of bone defects is a complex biological process that requires osteoconductive biomaterials, osteogenic precursor cells, and osteoinductive growth factors. Although autologous bone grafts are regarded as the gold standard for restoring bone defects, alternative materials are needed for the treatment of large-dimensional bone defects because of the limitations associated with autologous bone grafting, such as donor site morbidity, risk of rejection, and low graft availability. Therefore, functionalized biomaterials having three-dimensional (3D) structure are currently recognized as an ideal substitute for autologous bone grafts because of their biocompatibility and osteoconductivity. These biomaterials should mimic the physical and chemical properties of the extracellular matrix to promote bone regeneration, indicating that they should provide a conductive microenvironment for the selected cells. In addition, biomaterials have been demonstrated as vehicles for controlled drug (gene) delivery to repair bone defects. Many fabrication methods such as 3D printing, freeze-drying, electrospinning, double emulsion, and salt leaching methods can allow preparing porous membranes for bone tissue regeneration. The advantages of these methods can also allow successful fabrication of membranes using various types of biomaterials including polymers and their composites.

The aim of this Special Issue is to fabricate and characterize engineered biomaterials and to evaluate the biological functions of membranes for bone tissue regeneration. Topics include various fabrication methods, unique characterization, polymer and composite materials, biomedical applications such as bone tissue regeneration, drug delivery for bone defect healing, etc.

The Special Issue welcomes both original research articles and comprehensive reviews.

Prof. Dr. Young-Jin Kim
Guest Editor

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• 3D membrane
• biomedical application
• bone tissue regeneration
• drug delivery
• functional material
• composite material
• functionalization
• fabrication