Biofunctional Materials is an online multidisciplinary open access journal aiming to provide a peer-reviewed forum for innovation, research and development related to bioactive materials, biomedical materials, bio-inspired materials, bio-fabrications and other bio-functional materials.

The Subject Areas include, but are not limited to:

    Nanomedical materials in drug delivery and drug release, gene and immune therapy nanostructured coatings for enhanced adhesive, anti-bacterial, anti-viral properties, and anti-fouling properties.
    Regenerative biomaterials, materials with engineered interfaces, self-assembled materials, materials with selective mechanical and functional properties, and multi-scale scaffolds for tissue engineering and thrombogenic control, and dental materials for soft and hard tissue reconstruction and regeneration.
    3D/4D printing for bioactive materials.
    Theoretical (In-Silico) Biomaterials modeling, design, and AI applications.

Special Issue on Biofunctional Gels
Submission Date: 2026-05-31

Biofunctional gels, designed to mimic the extracellular matrix (ECM) found in living tissues, offer a supportive environment for cell growth and function. This special issue highlights the rationale behind biofunctional gels and their versatile applications in various biomedical fields. It discusses how these gels mimic the ECM, provide a cell-friendly environment, enable the controlled release of bioactive molecules, and offer tunable mechanical properties. In this special issue, we invite research and review articles that demonstrate recent advancements in the field and showcase successful examples using biofunctional gels.

This includes but is not limited to the following categories:

    Self-healing gels, which find applications where biomechanical stability and resilience are crucial, such as tissue engineering and drug delivery
    Stimuli-responsive gels, which can undergo reversible changes in their physical properties in response to external stimuli, suitable for targeted drug-delivery systems
    Biofunctional hydrogel for wound healing
    Biofunctional supramolecular hydrogels for cell encapsulation
    Biofunctional hydrogel for 3D printing

Special Issue on Biomaterials and Bioprinting
Submission Date: 2026-06-30

The field of biomaterials and bioprinting has emerged as a cutting-edge area of research with immense potential to revolutionize various industries, including healthcare, regenerative medicine, and tissue engineering. Biomaterials refer to materials that are designed to interact with biological systems, ranging from synthetic polymers to natural substances like collagen and hydrogels. Bioprinting, on the other hand, is a technique that utilizes biomaterials and living cells to create three-dimensional structures layer by layer. This technology allows researchers to mimic the intricate architecture and functionality of natural tissues, opening up new possibilities for tissue engineering and regenerative medicine.

This special issue on biomaterials and bioprinting aims to shed light on the exciting developments and potential applications of this rapidly evolving field, it seeks to contribute to the advancement and responsible use of biomaterials and bioprinting, ultimately improving patient outcomes and shaping the future of healthcare and regenerative medicine.

This includes but is not limited to the following categories:

    Innovative bioprinting technologies, including 4D bioprinting
    In situ bioprinting
    Mathematical modeling of bioprinting processes
    Bioprinting of sustainable biomaterial inks and bioinks
    Molecular analysis of bioprinted constructs
    Bioprinting applications for space exploration
    Bioprinting applications in biotechnology

Special Issue on Biofunctional Materials for Clinical Diagnostics and Therapy
Submission Date: 2026-07-31

Biofunctional materials play a crucial role in advancing clinical diagnostics and therapy by providing innovative solutions for disease detection, monitoring, and treatment. These materials, such as biosensors, nanoparticles, and microarrays, offer enhanced sensitivity, selectivity, and multiplexing capabilities, allowing for the detection of biomarkers, pathogens, and genetic variations, which contribute to the development of more accurate and efficient diagnostic tools. In addition to diagnostics, biofunctional materials have significant potential in therapeutic applications. These materials, such as nanoparticles, hydrogels, and scaffolds, offer unique properties, including biocompatibility, biodegradability, and the ability to encapsulate and release therapeutic agents.

We invite researchers and experts in the field to submit their original research articles, reviews, and perspectives to contribute to this special issue. This includes but is not limited to the following categories:

    Biopharmaceutics
    Material imaging modalities
    Pharmaceutical applications
    Drug delivery
    Cell delivery
    Contrast agents
    Diagnostic systems
    Process development
    Design and simulation

Together, let us explore the potential of biofunctional materials in clinical diagnostics and therapy and pave the way for future innovations in this exciting field.

Special Issue on Biofunctional Materials for Tissue Regeneration
Submission Date: 2026-09-30

The primary attribute of biofunctional materials is their biocompatibility. This ability allows them to perform a desired function in the body without creating any adverse host response. The initial immune response would depend on the route and the administration site for short-term implants such as drug, gene, or cell delivery systems. However, in the long term, implants such as stents, and bone implants, etc., even after the body tolerates the material, there could be further complications and implant rejection. In both cases, the biofunctional materials must be immunomodulatory to attain tissue regeneration successfully. Immunomodulation can be achieved by carefully tuning the microscopic and macroscopic properties of the materials, such as surface chemistry, degradability, topography, physical properties, etc.

In this special issue, we invite research and review articles demonstrating the biocompatibility, survival, and function of biomaterials achieved by immuno-bioengineering for both short-term and long-term applications. This includes but is not limited to the following categories:

    Studies demonstrating basic biocompatibility analytical methods such as blood compatibility, cytotoxicity, immunocytochemistry, immunohistochemistry, etc.
    Designing and synthesizing biomaterials with desirable surface chemistry to prevent the infiltration of immune cells into the implants.
    Adopting techniques to modulate the microenvironment by engineering the surface topography, including 3D bioprinting scaffolds.
    Machine learning and computational modeling tools to detect and predict the fate of bioengineered materials.