Advanced Biomaterials for Wound Healing Applications

Advanced biomaterials for wound healing encompass a diverse array of engineered constructs designed to interact favourably with the physiological environment, modulate key stages of repair and deliver therapeutic functions. These materials include nanofibre scaffolds that replicate the extracellular matrix architecture, hydrogels that provide hydrated and bioactive matrices, composite dressings loaded with antimicrobial or antioxidative agents, and cell‐laden constructs to support regeneration. Multifunctionality is a defining feature, with materials offering combined antibacterial, anti-inflammatory and pro-angiogenic activities to address infection control, oxidative stress and vascularisation. Fabrication techniques such as electrospinning, solution blow spinning and crosslinking chemistries have enabled fine tuning of porosity, mechanical strength and degradation rates. Recent efforts also focus on smart materials responsive to the wound microenvironment or external stimuli, thereby providing on-demand release of bioactives. Collectively, these advances hold promise for more effective management of acute and chronic wounds, translating into faster healing, reduced scarring and improved patient outcomes globally.

Research from Nature Portfolio

A novel hydrogel dressing has been developed with an intrinsically linked antibiofilm function and antioxidative capacity, achieved through covalently tethered cationic polyimidazolium for bacterial disruption and N-acetylcysteine for redox balance. This crosslinked network accelerates closure of wounds infected with resistant Staphylococcus aureus or Pseudomonas aeruginosa biofilms in diabetic murine models, while ex vivo human skin equivalents demonstrate enhanced keratinocyte differentiation and re-epithelialisation. The material can be moulded into various formats without additional activation, reducing contamination risk and simplifying clinical translation. In parallel, composite nanofibre scaffolds combining poly(ε-caprolactone) and gelatin have been engineered as vehicles for human skin-derived precursor cells. These scaffolds support uniform cell distribution, extracellular matrix deposition and promote dermal–epidermal integration. When implanted acellularly, they improve tissue thickness, collagen organisation and nerve density, underscoring their versatility as both cell delivery systems and standalone regenerative dressings.

Advanced Biomaterials for Wound Healing Applications publication trend

The graph below shows the total number of articles in advanced biomaterials for wound healing applications across all publications each year (not limited to Nature Index journals).

Technical terms

Nanofibre scaffold: A three-dimensional network of polymeric fibres at the nanometre scale designed to mimic the extracellular matrix and support cell attachment.

Hydrogel: A crosslinked hydrophilic polymer network capable of retaining large volumes of water, used to provide a moist, bioactive wound environment.

Biofilm: A structured community of microbial cells embedded within a self-produced polymeric matrix, often resistant to antimicrobial treatments.

Angiogenesis: The process of new blood vessel formation from existing vasculature, critical for supplying oxygen and nutrients to healing tissue.

References

1. Blow-Spun Si3N4-Incorporated Nanofibrous Dressing with Antibacterial, Anti-Inflammatory, and Angiogenic Activities for Chronic Wound Treatment. Advanced Fiber Materials (2024).
2. Hydrogel dressings with intrinsic antibiofilm and antioxidative dual functionalities accelerate infected diabetic wound healing. Nature Communications (2024).
3. Biocomposite nanofiber matrices to support ECM remodeling by human dermal progenitors and enhanced wound closure. Scientific Reports (2017).
4. Electrospun PCL/PLA Scaffolds Are More Suitable Carriers of Placental Mesenchymal Stromal Cells Than Collagen/Elastin Scaffolds and Prevent Wound Contraction in a Mouse Model of Wound Healing. Frontiers in Bioengineering and Biotechnology (2020).