PMC

While well-defined mono-parametric biomaterials will continue contributing mostly to mechanistic studies of cell mechanobiology, integrated functional biomaterials are opening doors toward a vast scope of promising research topics on both fundamental mechanobiology and translational medicine in future.

Translational quest for next generation biomaterials.

The virtues of a simplified approach to biomaterials design should include considerations for the path to clinical translation (top). For instance, a new biomaterial entails a more complex path to clinical translational than repurposing an already-approved device, known by the US FDA as the 510(k) pathway. However, a simple or reductionist approach to biomaterials design does not entail a simple end-product. This is exemplified in the complex functional biomaterials that are realized from modular strategies for additive manufacturing (bottom left) or in routes to use simple biomaterials to harness complex endogenous, and often immune-linked, processes in tissue repair or disease mitigation (bottom right).

Stagnation in clinical translation of biomaterial‐based medical devices observed over time. Historical events listed in chronological order (left), accompanied by biomaterials utilized the most (right) in those eras. Increased device complexity in parallel to tightening regulations leads to a translational bottleneck.