Submission Categories

2026 Abstract Categories

3D Bioprinting for Developing Personalized Models

Three dimensional (3D) bioprinting is a practical and commonly accessible biofabrication tool for a wide range of applications in tissue engineering and regenerative medicine because it has a unique ability to precisely position bioinks, cells, and/or biomolecules into spatially organized structures. 3D bioprinting can be conveniently used to develop personalized implants, in vitro disease models, and drug screening platforms as well as tissue replacements. In this session, we will highlight the advances and recent trends in 3D bioprinting technologies, development of multi-functional biomaterials, novel bioink formulations, clinical translation of bioprinting, current challenges and future perspectives, 4D bioprinting, and a wide range of medical applications of 3D bioprinting approaches.

4D Printing of Stimuli-Responsive Biomaterials for Precision Medicine

This symposium will feature a keynote speaker and a series of abstracts highlighting the advantages of 4D printing technologies for the manufacture, biofabrication, and minimally invasive delivery of biomaterials for clinical applications. 4D printing builds on traditional 3D printing by incorporating time as a design dimension, enabling printed structures to actively transform, self-assemble, or adapt in response to environmental stimuli. Shape memory biomaterials and other stimuli-responsive systems will be emphasized for their ability to enable minimally invasive delivery. Abstracts will encompass stimuli-responsive metals, polymers, polymer composites, and cell-printing strategies for biomedical applications, with a focus on addressing key challenges in advancing precision medical solutions.

Additive Manufacturing of Permanent Polymer Implants

Additive manufacturing (AM), commonly known as 3D printing, is rapidly transforming the landscape of permanent implantable devices. While metal-based 3D printed implants have already made strides in orthopedics and dentistry, the field is now witnessing growing interest in permanent polymer-based implants due to their lightweight nature, design versatility, and tailored mechanical properties.

This session will explore the latest advancements in additive manufacturing of permanent polymer implants, with a focus on material characterization, processing innovations, long-term biostability, regulatory challenges, and translational applications. The goal is to showcase how polymer-based additive manufacturing is moving from research labs into real-world clinical and surgical settings.

Advanced Drug Delivery Strategies for Vaccines

This session will highlight recent innovations in drug delivery systems that enhance the efficacy, safety, and accessibility of vaccines. We invite abstracts that explore the development and application of advanced biomaterials and delivery technologies tailored for vaccine platforms, including but not limited to subunit, mRNA, DNA, viral vector, and inactivated vaccines. Emphasis will be placed on strategies that address key challenges such as targeted delivery, controlled release, immunogenicity modulation, thermostability, and mucosal administration.   

Submissions are encouraged in the following focus areas:   
- Nanoparticle- and microparticle-based vaccine delivery systems   
- Lipid-based and polymeric carriers for nucleic acid vaccines   
- Injectable and non-injectable (e.g., oral, nasal, transdermal) delivery technologies   
- Adjuvant systems and immune engineering approaches   
- Controlled and sustained release formulations   
- Smart and responsive delivery platforms   
- Scalable and biomanufacturing-compatible delivery systems   
- Preclinical and clinical translation of delivery technologies   

This session aims to foster interdisciplinary discussion among biomaterials scientists, immunologists, bioengineers, and translational researchers working at the intersection of materials science and vaccinology. Abstracts describing both fundamental research and applied/clinical advancements are welcome.

Advances from Fortuitous Failures

Data do not always align with our hypotheses, but unexpected results often provide the greatest opportunities for knowledge advancement. This session aims to highlight the unexpected directions that our research can take when we experience ‘fortuitous failures.’ We invite presenters to tell stories about research projects that went awry and the new ideas that those failed experiments spurred on. Presentations should focus on unanticipated research outcomes, modifications used to circumvent or resolve the obstacles, and novel developments derived from the process. With this session, we will showcase resilience in the biomaterials community and provide a platform for inspiration and encouragement to both new and established investigators as they navigate changes in the science landscape.

Advances in Dynamic Crosslinking of Hydrogels

This session will highlight recent progress in dynamic crosslinking strategies for hydrogels that enable tunable mechanics, adaptive remodeling, and improved cell–matrix interactions. Presentations will cover reversible chemistries, stimuli-responsive networks, and their applications in tissue engineering and drug delivery. The goal is to showcase how dynamic bonding enhances functional performance and biological integration of hydrogels.

Advancing Antimicrobial BioInterfaces: Addressing Implantable Device-Related Infections

This symposium will explore innovative strategies to prevent and mitigate infections associated with medical implants. It will bring together leading researchers from academia and industry to highlight advances in antimicrobial surface engineering, bioinspired materials, and responsive biomaterial systems. Emphasis will be placed on integrating fundamental biointerface science with translational approaches to improve patient outcomes. By fostering cross-sector dialogue, the session aims to catalyze new collaborations and accelerate the development of next-generation infection-resistant biomaterials.

Biofilms At Soft Tissue Interfaces

Many bacteria that cause disease are also commensal with the body until something is disrupted, causing proliferation into a biofilm, eg. eczema, acne, and inflammatory bowel disease, diabetic and burn wounds. Understanding how biofilms survive and propagate into tissues in less motile states is important to understanding treatment. While many implanted medical device and joint infections inflame surrounding tissue, this session will strictly focus on biofilm interaction with the soft tissue.

Bioinks for Improved Cell Functions

The focus of this session is on recent innovations in bioink design that enhance cell viability, organization, and function in 3D bioprinted constructs. Topics will include material formulations, rheological tuning, and bioactive modifications that support tissue-specific outcomes. Emphasis will be placed on strategies that bridge printability with biological performance for regenerative applications.

Bioinspired Materials for Therapeutics

Drawing inspiration from natural systems, researchers have engineered materials that mimic biological structures and functions to enhance tissue regeneration, drug delivery, and wound healing. The session showcases innovations in smart hydrogels, self-healing polymers, and nanocomposites that respond dynamically to physiological environments. Emphasis is placed on interdisciplinary approaches combining materials science, biology, and engineering to address clinical challenges.

BioInterfaces SIG

The junction between materials and biological systems is a critical and complex interface with the potential to control the function of macromolecules and dictate cell and tissue responses. Increasingly, cells and biomacromolecules are designable components of biomaterials, creating additional opportunities for innovative research at the interface of materials science and fundamental biology. This session serves as a forum for advances in approaches to modulate interfacial properties, investigations of structure-function and self-assembly at biointerfaces, and applications of interface-driven biomedicine. Specific areas of interest include fundamental research related to dynamic interactions at the material-biomolecular interface from nano to bulk scales and applied research focused on providing hemocompatible and non-fouling biomaterial surfaces. We also encourage contributions that advance a biomaterials lens to cutting-edge research in protein and cell biology, and research that translates progress in molecular and cell biology into innovative biomaterials.

Biomaterial-Based Cancer Models

Biomaterial-based cancer models offer a close mimic of the complex tumor microenvironment, providing versatile platforms for screening molecular and cellular therapeutics. Such platforms enable integration of multiple cell populations and matrix compositions, treatment with patient-relevant modalities (e.g. radiation therapies), and detailed mechanistic analysis through high-resolution imaging. This symposium will highlight recent advances in leveraging biomaterial-based cancer models in vitro or in vivo, to accelerate therapeutic delivery with high efficacy and low associated toxicity.

Biomaterial-Focused Strategies for Osteoarthritis Treatment

Osteoarthritis (OA) is a progressive and debilitating joint disorder that affects approximately 15% of the global population, making it one of the leading causes of disability worldwide. Despite its prevalence, there is currently no curative treatment. OA significantly diminishes quality of life across adult populations, and its global burden is expected to rise sharply with the aging population and increasing incidence of joint injuries. This symposium will showcase cutting-edge bioengineering strategies aimed at moving beyond symptom management toward disease-modifying interventions. Topics will include intraarticular delivery systems for sustained and localized therapeutic release, nanotechnologies for targeted drug delivery, bioengineered joint lubricants, cell-based therapies, and regenerative approaches focused on cartilage repair and joint restoration. The session will also feature advances in biomaterials for generating in vitro models that offer mechanistic insights into OA progression and therapeutic response.

Biomaterial-Mediated Immune Modulation for Autoimmunity Treatment

Autoimmune diseases, including multiple sclerosis and rheumatoid arthritis, affect over 24 million Americans and are among the leading causes of disability and death in the United States, disproportionately impacting women. A broad spectrum of biomaterials has been engineered to address autoimmunity by modulating immune responses via several mechanisms, such as delivering immunosuppressive drugs, inducing anti-inflammatory reactions, and enhancing regulatory immune cell functions. The proposed session aims to showcase recent studies that utilize biomaterial design to foster tolerogenic responses in the treatment of autoimmune and inflammatory conditions.

Biomaterial-Tissue Interaction SIG

Events that follow binding of the first host ion to an implant’s surface are dictated by reactions not well understood for any biomaterial or device. Understanding these events is the purpose of the Biomaterial-Tissue Interaction Special Interest Group. Only through such understanding can one definitively answer such questions as: “Why did it fail?” and “What led to its success that we can apply to future devices?” These answers will come from such fields as physiology, immunology, pathology, biomechanics and material science. They will apply to the subjects of every other SIG in the Society. All those interested in the mechanisms of host-implant interaction are welcome to join BTI's quest.

Biomaterials & Surfaces: from Pioneering Medical Implants to Advanced Therapies

This symposium is focused in biostructured biomaterials and its surfaces. We aim at creating an excellent forum for the debate of cutting edge research on biomaterials surfaces aiming to support the development smarter and super effective biomaterials able to overcome clinically-oriented unsolved problems or elegant new technologies maximizing the efficacy of implants and advanced therapies.

The covered topics will span from pioneering hydroxyapatite and calcium phosphate technologies to biologically modified surfaces aiming to generate and explore specific functionalities and to stimulate/repress particular biological processes.    
This forum will unfold the unique properties of the biomateriais at the nanoscale and the opportunities derived from the control of its surface and structure at the submicron and micron level. Namely, the possibility to design materials mimicking the extra-cellular matrix or interacting with this milieu at the same scale, the new routes of gene therapy enabled by systems internalized by the cells and tailored to play an active role in the intra-cellular space or the ability to construct surfaces that not only have controlled activity but also have the ability to tailor smart, active, adaptative, signalling and functional activities of the materials when in contact with cells and biological fluids.

Biomaterials and Medical Products Commercialization SIG

BMPC SIG members exchange ideas and experiences about the commercialization of medical products dependent upon biomaterials for utility, efficacy, safety, and reimbursement capability. Society for Biomaterials members, ranging from students to veterans in the field, will find an open forum to explore issues facing commercial biomaterials, such as regulations, patents, litigation, reimbursement for the resultant medical device, manufacturing, and distribution with reference to hospital value analysis committees, purchasing & supply chain management system. Translation from the development to marketing of safe and innovative medical products can be improved by the proper commercial valuation of Biomaterials through current scientific inputs to assist in a better Medical Billing System. Accordingly, our mission through this SIG would be to take part in the efforts to explain the scientific, biological, and biochemical features of biomaterials to the clinical community. This process would assist any clinical value analysis team to recommend the government payers (CMS & Private Insurance) to adopt an appropriate commercial valuation for each biomaterial-based medical device in the market. Join the Biomaterials and Medical Products Commercialization SIG to enhance your knowledge and decision-making skills in the dynamic healthcare community.

Biomaterials Education SIG

The Biomaterials Education SIG members' mission is to affect quality of teaching and learning through the discussion, generation and implementation of innovative ideas. Through this, they seek to advance the interests and goals of the biomaterials community by attempting to bridge the gap between classroom theory and clinical application. As the field of biomaterials rapidly evolves, so must biomaterials education. The Biomaterials Education Special Interest Group is dedicated to the belief that all members of the biomaterials community should be provided with high quality educational opportunities in a stimulating environment.

Biomaterials for Cellular Engineering

Engineered biomaterials that functionally shape intracellular and plasma membrane microenvironments are expanding the biomaterial toolkit for cellular engineering. Looking beyond biomaterials as extracellular support scaffolds, this session will showcase and stimulate progress towards biocompatible biomaterials that closely interact with cellular machinery to engineer, expand and report cell functionality. Relevant examples consider programmable intracellular assembly of proteins and synthetic polymers, and cell surface functionalization with engineered proteins, nanomaterials and molecularly-defined polymer-lipid conjugates. We encourage contributions spanning fundamental studies (i.e., early design principles and proof-of-concept) and emergent applications across therapeutically-relevant cell types, from probiotic bacteria to human immune and stem cells.

Biomaterials for Enhancing Pathogen-Based Therapy

Pathogen-based therapy is emerging as a viable approach for treatment of a wide range of diseases including cancers and antibiotic resistance. In this session, we endeavor to highlight the research where biomaterials are helping to enhance the efficacy or understanding of these 'bugs as drugs' approaches.

Biomaterials for Immune Cell Therapy Biomanufacturing

We welcome abstracts that highlight the critical role of biomaterials in advancing cell biomanufacturing technologies for therapeutic and research applications. Biomaterials serve as foundational components in the design of scalable, reproducible, and functional cell culture systems, enabling precise control over cell fate, phenotype, and function. From engineered scaffolds and hydrogels to microcarriers and bioreactor-compatible matrices, biomaterials facilitate cell expansion, differentiation, and delivery while maintaining viability and potency. Submissions that explore novel material formulations, biofabrication strategies, and integration with automation or bioprocessing platforms are encouraged, particularly those demonstrating translational potential in regenerative medicine, immunotherapy, and tissue engineering.

Biomaterials for ImmunoEngineering

Over the past decade the focus of many bioengineers and clinicians has been shifting towards "immune engineering" approaches that include but are not limited to engineered biomaterials for vaccines, immunotherapy (immune modulation), cell and gene therapy, immune microenvironment engineering, and systems immunology. These research areas embrace a comprehensive list of translational immunology-associated problems including chronic infections, autoimmune diseases, aggressive cancers, allergies, etc. The purpose of the Immune Engineering SIG is to bring together emerging ideas and provide a venue for professional interaction to a large number of academic and industrial research groups and scientists working in these areas.

Biomaterials for In Vitro Models of Disease

This session is dedicated to biomaterials used in the fabrication of in vitro disease models and will highlight cutting-edge strategies for replicating pathological conditions outside the human body. Topics will include the use of biomaterials in the development of organoids, microphysiological systems, and hydrogels for 3D cell culture. The session will explore their applications in studying disease mechanisms, drug testing, and recent advancements in leveraging these platforms for personalized medicine and therapeutic development.

Biomaterials for Islet Cell Therapy - From Innovation to Commercialization

This session will explore cutting-edge biomaterials that advance islet and beta cell transplantation for type 1 diabetes by addressing cell manufacturing, immune rejection, hypoxia, inflammation, engraftment, vascularization, and retrievability. Biomaterial strategies include immunomodulatory materials, encapsulation systems, and scaffolds that enhance cell survival, function, and transplantation outcomes. Discussion will cover the path to commercialization, including regulatory considerations, translational hurdles, and emerging market opportunities.

Biomaterials for Neural Engineering

Engineered biomaterials are a centerpiece of new therapeutic approaches to treat neural injury as systems to deliver molecular and cell-based therapies to regenerate neural circuits or as components in closed-loop neurotechnologies. Biomaterials innovations that can improve the delivery of small molecules, biologics or cells to neural tissue, direct neuronal functional states, guide neural circuity connectivity, and improve neural cell interactions with devices hold the key to realizing new effective therapies. Furthermore, engineered biomaterials are uniquely positioned for use in creating, testing, and regenerating neural tissue with applications like in vitro models of injury and disease, brain organoid models, tissue engineering, therapeutic treatments, understanding neural development, and mapping the brain. This session will focus on cutting edge research in neural biomaterials including fundamental materials development work through pre-clinical and clinical studies. These include big questions surrounding understanding and treating neurological diseases and injuries of the peripheral and central nervous systems as well as drug, biologic, and cellular therapy delivery and neural interfacing. This session will be of significant interest to industry, academia, and clinical groups working in a broad array of neural engineering fields.

Biomaterials for Nose-to-Brain Drug Delivery

This session will feature investigations into the design rules that dictate drug delivery to the brain via intranasal administration of biomaterials and application of this knowledge to treat brain damage and disorders of the central nervous system in pre-clinical models.

Biomaterials for Organoids

An organoid is a self-organized 3D tissue that can be dissected and interrogated for fundamental mechanistic studies on genetics and development. They can also be used in diagnostics, personalized medicine, disease modeling, and drug discovery. To advance the alternative methods and reduce animal use at the FDA, an organoid-based microphysiological system mimicking the organs' functions in vitro is a powerful and critical platform under the umbrella of alternative models. In 2023, the FDA will no longer require animal tests before human drug trials. In April 2025, the FDA and NIH issued Statements to prioritize human-based research technologies, such as Organoids, tissue chips, and other in vitro systems that allow scientists to model human disease and capture human variability and patient-specific characteristics. This symposium will cover the most recent advancements in biomaterials-mediated organoid and tissue chip technologies in regenerative medicine, cancer therapy, drug testing, environmental control, monitoring, adaptive sensing, and translational applications. This symposium will be helpful for graduate students and postdoctoral fellows as it will give them an overview of the role of organoids in life science and medicine. It also helps engineering and medical professionals increase their awareness of biomimetic strategies in new biomaterials. In 2026, we will promote translational research to the commercial viability of biomaterials-mediated organoid projects at the Crossroads, where groundbreaking research, translational development, and real-world applications converge.

Biomaterials for Promoting Integration between the Host Environment and Engineered Tissues

The goal of this session is to highlight biomaterial strategies for supporting the integration of implanted engineered tissues into the surrounding transplant microenvironment. Topics of interest include immunomodulation, guest-host anastomosis for vasculature, integration of parenchymal cells between guest and host tissue, and strategies to mitigate fibrotic response.

Biomaterials for Regenerative Engineering

Regenerative engineering aims to develop functional, bioactive, and instructive biomaterials and approaches for regeneration of tissues through convergence of engineering, medicine, developmental biology, and stem cell science. This symposium will highlight recent trends in development of functional biomaterials that play active roles in controlling cellular behaviors and tissue regeneration. We will include different classes of biomaterials such as proteins, polysaccharides, synthetic polymers, fibers, metals, ceramics, and hydrogels for applications in regenerative engineering. The biomaterials that can direct cell fate and promote differentiation will also be highlighted by this session. Moreover, the biomaterials that can facilitate drug delivery and immunomodulation will be covered through oral and poster presentations. Translational strategies for taking these biomaterials from ‘Bench to Bedside’ will also be discussed during the symposium. We expect that our interdisciplinary session including material science, chemistry, biology, engineering, and medicine will be of great significance to the clinicians, industry members and academia.

Biomaterials in Autoimmunity and Tolerance

We invite submissions that explore the transformative role of biomaterials in modulating immune responses to promote implant tolerance and resolve autoimmunity. As the interface between synthetic systems and biological tissues, biomaterials offer a unique platform to engineer immune microenvironments, deliver immunomodulatory agents, and guide tissue regeneration. Recent advances in material science have enabled the design of bioactive scaffolds, nanoparticles, and hydrogels that can selectively engage immune cells, suppress autoreactive responses, and foster long-term acceptance of implanted devices. Abstracts addressing novel biomaterial strategies, mechanistic insights, and translational applications in autoimmune disease models or implantable therapeutics are highly encouraged.

Biomaterials in the Nervous System

Biomaterials have been developed for a variety of functionalities in both the peripheral and central nervous system. This session seeks to curate work that addresses all aspects of nanomedicine development for neural disease and repair. Topics of interest include brain and spinal cord injury, autoimmune or inherited neuropathies (e.g., Guillain-Barre syndrome), central neuroinflammation (e.g., multiple sclerosis), neurodegenerative diseases (e.g., Alzheimer’s, Parkinson’s, amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, etc), neuro-oncology (primary or metastatic brain tumors), and others. We welcome contributions from all stages of development, from mechanistic work to translational studies, with the underlying theme that the research activities seek to design or optimize materials for diagnoses, prevention, or treatment of conditions affecting the nervous system.

Biomaterials Innovations for Women’s Health

This session will cover recent advances in biomaterials research and engineering innovations aimed at improving women’s health. Women’s health is defined broadly as all conditions that disproportionately impact women across their lifespan. Topics will include maternal health, reproductive technologies, fertility preservation, and gynecologic conditions. Additionally, areas of focus will include dynamic interactions during pregnancy and conditions related to the uterus or gynecologic tract. Speakers will present work in drug delivery, implantable devices, and tissue engineering that address clinical needs unique to women. The session will also highlight cancers affecting women, such as breast, cervical, and ovarian cancer, with an emphasis on biomaterials-based diagnostics, targeted therapies, and tissue reconstruction.

Blood. The Forgotten Wasteland

Biomaterial surfaces commonly initiate blood coagulation, posing a major barrier to the safe and effective use of blood-contacting devices such as stents, vascular grafts, catheters, and mechanical heart valves. In recent years, there has been a declining emphasis on investigating material-induced thrombosis and the development of novel materials and strategies to mitigate these challenges. This symposium will explore emerging strategies to enhance hemocompatibility, including surface passivation, bioactive coatings, and controlled release of anticoagulant agents. Topics will include mechanisms of blood-material interactions, thrombosis modeling, and translational approaches to improving vascular device performance.

Cardiovascular Biomaterials SIG

The Cardiovascular Biomaterials Special Interest Group has the mission to foster the professional interaction and address the common concerns of academic and industrial scientists and engineers, clinicians, and regulatory professionals concerned with the discovery, research, development, and use of biomaterials for cardiovascular devices and implants. This includes a broad range of cardiovascular biomaterial strategies used to guide stem cell differentiation, terminally-differentiated vascular cell phenotype, antibacterial properties, and inflammation and remodeling in vivo.

Cell Membrane-Integrated Platforms in Regenerative Medicine and Drug Delivery

This session will highlight recent advances in the integration of cell-derived materials with biomaterials to enhance therapeutic functionality in biomedical applications. Topics will include cell ghosts, cell-derived vesicles, exosomes, and hybrid platforms integrated with biomimetic materials for drug delivery, immunomodulation, and tissue regeneration applications. The session will also cover clinical translation strategies and emerging therapeutic approaches

Combined Biomaterials and Synthetic Biology Approaches to Engineer Tissues

The goal of this session is to explore the integration of biomaterials and synthetic biology tools to design engineered tissues. Topics of interest include the use of engineered cells to produce de novo extracellular matrix, the use of gene circuits to regulate cell-matrix and cell-cell interactions, and the use of synthetic biology and biomaterials to direct tissue self-assembly or program therapeutic outputs for engineered tissue constructs.

Computational, Machine Learning, and Artificial Intelligence Approaches in Biomaterials

Computational modeling and machine learning can enhance our ability to design and evaluate biomaterials for a variety of applications. Artificial intelligence has also been playing an increasingly important role in the development of biomaterials and in disease treatment. This session will explore computational approaches and machine learning/artificial intelligence tools for designing and classifying biomaterials for tissue engineering and other applications, evaluating complex data from in vitro and in vivo studies, and predicting biomaterial performance in different microenvironments. Examples of these may include fluid mechanics and bio-transport models of drug/protein delivery, models of protein-protein and protein-material interactions, statistical modeling for biomaterial optimization, machine learning for biomaterial design and analysis, and bioinformatics-based platforms for analyzing complex data, including RNA sequencing and other -omics approaches. Progress and challenges in applying artificial intelligence in developing biomaterials and in disease treatment will also be discussed.

Delivery Technologies for Cancer Vaccines - Clinical Progress and New Directions

Recent early phase clinical trials on nanomaterial-enabled cancer vaccines have yielded exciting results. This session, intended to bridge industrial and academic speakers, will highlight both clinical products which are advancing toward successful clinical translation and new immuno-delivery approaches poised to enable the next generation of cancer vaccines.

Dental/Craniofacial Biomaterials SIG

The Dental/Craniofacial Biomaterials Special Interest Group focuses on basic, applied, and clinical biomaterials research using approaches ranging from synthetic materials to biological mechanisms of therapy, and including materials/biological constructs and tissue structure-function analyses as biomimetic/design bases. Each of these approaches converge into the larger objective of restoring oral tissue structure and function. Issues related to materials used or having potential for use intra-orally or extra-orally for the restoration, fixation, replacement, or regeneration of hard and soft tissues in and about the oral cavity and craniofacial region are included. New dental biomaterials technologies include advanced inorganic and organic materials, biomimetics, smart materials, tissue engineering, drug delivery strategies and surface modified materials.

Designing Biomaterials for Use as Bio-Inks

Technologies for 3D printing and biofabrication are rapidly advancing and poised to transform the way we study human development and treat human disease. To realize their immense potential, we need new bioink materials that have not only the appropriate properties for cell culture, but also the required properties for biofabrication, which can vary drastically depending on the selected technology. This session invites experimental and theoretical studies of innovative bioink design, including to benchmark and standardize new bioinks, strategies to customize bioinks for clinical applications, and approaches to validate bioinks for platforms such as drug discovery and toxicology.

Drug Delivery SIG

This session will survey the diverse range of contemporary drug delivery systems and innovations. Drug delivering biomaterials can include nanoparticles, hydrogels, nanofibers, cell and virus-derived particles, or bioconjugates. Payloads can include DNA, RNA, antibodies, recombinant proteins, or small molecules. Disease applications can range from neurodegeneration to autoimmune disease, trauma, infection, or cancer. Work at all scales, from basic formulation science through therapeutic application in disease models is welcome. Studies that critically evaluate the impact of injection route on treatment efficacy and/or use novel imaging modalities to evaluate drug delivery performance are especially encouraged.

Drug Delivery Systems to Treat Corneal Disease

This session will highlight recent advances in biomaterial-based drug delivery systems designed to treat corneal diseases, including infections, inflammation, dry eye, injury, and degenerative or dystrophic conditions. Conventional ocular therapies often suffer from poor bioavailability, rapid drug clearance, and limited patient adherence. Emerging drug delivery strategies aim to overcome these limitations by enabling controlled, sustained, and targeted therapeutic delivery to the cornea.   

We welcome abstracts focused on the development, characterization, and application of innovative delivery platforms for small molecules, biologics, nucleic acids, or cell-based therapeutics aimed at corneal repair and regeneration. Topics of interest include, but are not limited to:   

-Injectable, implantable, or in situ-forming systems for ocular drug delivery   
- Contact lens-based or hydrogel-based delivery systems   
- Nanoparticle- and microparticle-mediated drug transport   
- Mucoadhesive, stimuli-responsive, or targeted delivery systems   
- Gene or RNA-based therapies for corneal disease   
- Controlled release strategies to reduce dosing frequency and enhance efficacy   
- Biocompatibility, degradation, and pharmacokinetics in ocular tissues   
- Preclinical and clinical studies addressing translational potential   

This session aims to bring together researchers and clinicians working at the interface of biomaterials, ophthalmology, and pharmaceutical science to advance the development of next-generation therapeutics for corneal disease.

Electrospun Interfaces: Bridging Research Prototypes to Emerging Industrial Medical Devices

Electrospinning is rapidly transitioning from a niche laboratory technique to a scalable, commercially viable manufacturing process with growing impact in the medical device industry. This session will explore how electrospun materials are driving innovation in drug delivery, biointegrative scaffolds, and regenerative therapies. Topics will include the evolution from home-built benchtop systems to GMP-compliant commercial electrospinning platforms, and how this shift enables reproducibility, regulatory alignment, and clinical translation.   

We will explore the product development pipeline from initial prototypes to approved products. Industry and academic speakers will share case studies and strategies for successfully navigating the challenges of moving electrospun technologies from the lab to the market. Critical challenges that will be addressed include developing devices iteratively on the basis of polymer selection, fiber morphologies, and material geometries, through translation into scaled up processes for high throughput production. This session is ideal for researchers, engineers, and scientists interested in unlocking the full potential of electrospun materials in emerging medical applications.

Emerging Materials for Gene Therapy

Gene therapies are advancing from concept to clinic and increasingly demand materials innovation to unlock their full potential. The session scope will span in vivo targeting strategies that hone delivery to specific tissues and cell types, in situ cellular programming, and nonviral and viral vectors that serve as nucleic acid depot enabling spatiotemporally controlled cargo release. Progress in nucleic acid design and development of structured nanomedicine using experimental and computational strategies, from DNA and protein-based assemblies, polymer constructs, to next generation lipid nanoparticles will be discussed. These emerging strategies will address controlled release, high-throughput discovery approach, extrahepatic and tissue-specific targeting, efficient crossing of the blood–brain barrier, and controlled modulation of innate and adaptive immunity to enhance the precision of genome and RNA editing. Together, these topics capture a comprehensive view of the materials centric innovations poised to accelerate gene therapies.

Emerging Nanobiomaterials and Nanotoxicity

Nanobiomaterials are revolutionizing the field of medicine, offering novel solutions for drug delivery, diagnostics, tissue engineering, and regenerative medicine. This session will focus on the emergence and rapid advancement of new nanobiomaterials, highlighting innovations in nanofabrication techniques that enhance their functionality and biocompatibility. A key emphasis will be placed on understanding the potential toxicological impacts – nanotoxicity associated with these materials, as their increasing biomedical use demands rigorous safety evaluation and regulatory oversight. Research on current methodologies for assessing nanotoxicity, recent regulatory developments, and the challenges of translating lab-scale innovations into clinically viable solutions may be presented. By integrating insights from material science, toxicology, and biomedical engineering, this session aims to provide a comprehensive perspective on the current state and future directions of nanobiomaterials and nanotoxicity research and development. This platform will foster interdisciplinary dialogue to guide responsible innovation and sustainable application of nanotechnologies in medicine.

Engineering Biomaterials for Cardiac and Pulmonary Uses

This session focuses on leveraging biomaterials to create models of the heart and lung, including engineered tissues, organoid, and/or organs-on-a-chip, and how these systems can be leveraged to understand disease processes and as a testbed to identify and test potential therapeutics. These models can be used to develop treatments for acute conditions such as virus infections, to investigate mechanisms of chronic disease progression, for toxicology testing, and overcome the limitations of animal models used for cardio-pulmonary research. Approaches that combine in vitro models with state-of-the-art techniques for phenotyping, including bulk and spatially resolved omics technologies and cutting-edge data analysis and visualization such as machine learning are also encouraged.

Engineering Cells and Their Microenvironments SIG

The Engineering Cells & Their Microenvironments Special Interest Group focuses on technologies and approaches at the single-cell level and the engineering of cellular microenvironments. This includes designing dynamic cues within biomaterials to regulate cell signaling and stem cell fate, as well as advancing stem cell manufacturing and differentiation, immunoengineering, and biomaterials for cell-based detection and diagnosis.

Engineering the Lung: Biomaterials and Microfabrication Tools for Pulmonary Research

Advances in biomaterial design and microfabrication are enabling the creation of sophisticated in vitro models that recapitulate the complex pulmonary microenvironment, offering transformative pathways for therapeutic development and disease understanding. These engineered platforms integrate physiologically relevant cell-matrix interactions, mechanical forces, and biochemical gradients that mirror native lung architecture and function.   

These innovative systems are being applied across diverse research areas: developing treatments for acute conditions like viral infections and ARDS, investigating chronic diseases such as pulmonary fibrosis and COPD, conducting comprehensive toxicology testing, and potentially reducing reliance on animal models. Beyond disease modeling, these platforms enable high-throughput drug screening, personalized medicine approaches using patient-derived cells, and mechanistic studies of lung development and repair processes.   

This symposium will explore cutting-edge applications of biomaterials as both sophisticated research tools and advanced therapeutics in pulmonary medicine, highlighting emerging technologies, clinical translation challenges, and future directions for this rapidly evolving field that promises to enhance respiratory medicine.

Extracellular Vesicles for Biomedical Applications

Extracellular vesicles (EVs) are natural nanoparticles that carry RNA, DNA, proteins, and lipids, and have been given much attention in recent years due to the growing knowledge of their role in driving disease and maintaining health. The objective of this session is to bring together investigators focusing on the characterization and biology of EVs, engineering of EVs, and their utility as diagnostic biomarkers and therapeutics. Example topics include EV nanomaterials science, the interaction of EVs with biological systems, EV biodistribution in vivo and pharmacology, and the utility of EVs for molecular targeting, imaging, diagnostics, immunoengineering, tissue engineering, and drug delivery. EVs from different sources including both mammalian and bacteria-derived EVs will be included.

Failures, Pivots, and Surprises

 

Fibrous Biomaterials for Tissue Engineering

Fibrous biomaterials represent a dynamic and rapidly evolving field at the intersection of materials science, biology, and engineering, dedicated to developing innovative solutions for complex medical challenges. From traditional bandages and gauzes to advanced vascular grafts, tendon patches, drug delivery systems, and tissue engineering scaffolds, fibrous biomaterials have revolutionized various aspects of medical treatment and procedures. This session will highlight the design, fabrication, characterization and use of fibrous biomaterials for use in tissue engineering and regenerative medicine applications.

Functional Biomaterials for Ophthalmic Solutions

Biomaterials often work in more than one application. In this session, researchers are encouraged to showcase how their current projects outside of ophthalmology could be used in ophthalmology. Our goal is to forge new ideas that are outside of the box, encouraging researchers to consider how ophthalmology could fit into their projects. In this session, we will explore different uses of biomaterials in the ophthalmology field, including ocular surface repair, corneal replacement and repair, and retinal applications. Basic science and foundational knowledge advances are encouraged alongside more clinical advances.

Gasotransmitter-Driven Biomaterials for Multifunctional Biointerfaces

Gasotransmitters such as nitric oxide (NO), hydrogen sulfide (H₂S), and carbon monoxide (CO) are emerging as powerful tools in the design of biomaterials. These gases can be strategically applied at biointerfaces to prevent thrombosis, inhibit pathogenic bacteria, and regulate inflammation. This session will explore cutting-edge strategies for both exogenous delivery and endogenous catalytic generation of these gases, enabling precise control over their therapeutic effects in blood-contacting and infection-prone environments.

Gene-Activated Scaffolds for Tissue Engineering

This session will focus on the design, development, and application of gene-activated scaffolds (GAS) that integrate gene delivery strategies with biomaterial scaffolds to promote in situ tissue regeneration. Gene-activated scaffolds represent a promising frontier in regenerative medicine by enabling localized, sustained expression of therapeutic genes that modulate cellular behavior, enhance tissue integration, and stimulate endogenous repair mechanisms.   

We invite abstracts that explore innovative approaches to the incorporation of DNA, RNA, or gene vectors into biomaterials for applications in bone, cartilage, skin, cardiovascular, neural, or other tissue types. Topics of interest include, but are not limited to:   

- Scaffold design and fabrication for gene delivery   
- Non-viral and viral gene delivery systems within scaffolds   
- Controlled and sustained release of nucleic acids from biomaterials   
- Gene-functionalized hydrogels, electrospun fibers, and 3D printed scaffolds   
- Mechanisms of gene-mediated modulation of cell behavior   
- Immunomodulatory gene delivery for regenerative purposes   
- Preclinical models and translational considerations of GAS   
- Synergistic delivery of genes with growth factors or drugs   

This session aims to bring together researchers from biomaterials science, gene therapy, tissue engineering, and regenerative medicine to share advances that bridge material design with gene-based biological modulation. Submissions from both fundamental and translational studies are encouraged.

Glial Engineering

Maintaining healthy neural tissue in the central nervous system (CNS) requires the coordinated functions of neurons and a diverse array of glial cells. Three broadly categorized glial cell populations, astrocytes, microglia, and oligodendroglia, tile the entire volume of the brain in a contiguous, non-overlapping manner. While we have long known about the existence of glia in brain and spinal cord tissues, their functional importance has been under-appreciated by the neuroscientific and biomaterials community. Biomaterials are now being used to influence the fate of glial cells in vitro and in vivo and to gain a deeper understanding of glial function in maintaining healthy neural tissue, protecting it from infection or injury, and maladaptively exacerbating neuroimmune or neurodegenerative disease. This session will focus on harnessing the power of biomaterials to better understand glial development and differentiation, taming glial inflammation, reducing inhibitory glial scar components, and using the unique power of glial cells and their secreted matrix and soluble factors for therapeutic benefit.

Glycan-Based Biomaterials for Immune-Engineering

This session will delve into the pivotal role of glycosylation in the design of next-generation biomaterials for immune modulation and tissue regeneration. Emphasizing the intersection of fundamental science, translational innovation, and clinical relevance, the discussion will spotlight how glycan-based strategies—spanning glycan-, proteoglycan-, and glycosaminoglycan-functionalized materials—can be harnessed to fine-tune immune cell activation, modulate inflammation, and enhance scaffold integration. By decoding glycan-biomaterial interactions, researchers are paving the way for smarter, immunomodulatory materials —advancing the field at the critical nexus of discovery and application.

Granular & Macroporous Biomaterials for Tissue Engineering

Granular hydrogel materials emerged as a class of biomaterial that provide for well-defined in vitro and in vivo systems with plug-and-play components and tissue-mimicking 3D environments. Granular hydrogels are composed of a slurry of microgel particles that are assembled to form a larger porous structure. Microporous annealed particle (MAP) scaffolds are a subclass of granular hydrogel material with a void space network stabilized by inter-particle chemical bonds. The modular nature of granular hydrogels offers enormous tunability in not only the individual microgel design but also the homogenous or heterogenous microgel assembly into the bulk scaffold. This session will explore current advances in granular hydrogel technology, including MAP scaffolds, for both immune modulation, tissue repair, organ-on-a-chip, and 3D-printing applications.

Health Equity SIG

The Health Equity SIG is a newly established initiative the Society For Biomaterials dedicated to advancing research and innovation that prioritize equity in healthcare and research practices.The Health Equity SIG brings together researchers, educators, and innovators from diverse disciplines to address health disparities and ensure that the needs of all patient demographics remain at the forefront of scientific progress. We welcome all SFB members who are passionate about creating a more inclusive and equitable future in healthcare and science. Whether you are an established researcher, a student, or an emerging innovator, your contributions are vital to our mission. Together, we can build a collaborative platform that prioritizes equity, transforms research practices, and ensures no patient population is overlooked.

Hemocompatibility of Nanoengineered Surfaces

The development of blood-compatible materials represents a major challenge in biomaterials science. Blood-contacting materials include components of cardiovascular implants (such as stents, shunts, and valves) and extracorporeal circuit devices (such as tubing, membranes, and pumps). Designing these materials demands careful consideration of nearly every aspect of materials science, including composition, mechanical properties, multi-scale structure, tribology, surface physical chemistry, and biochemical functionalization. This session will showcase recent advances at the intersection of nanomaterials, nanoengineering, and blood-contacting surfaces. Focus areas include chemical, physical, topographical, and biological surface modifications to improve the performance of blood-contacting materials, with an emphasis on strategies that enhance hemocompatibility, reduce thrombogenicity, and accelerate clinical translation.

High-Performance Biomaterials for Tissue Engineering and Regenerative Medicine

Biologically derived polymers and composites offer excellent opportunities in the biomaterials field. This versatile class of materials includes biopolymers (polyhydroxy alkanoates, hyaluronic acid), polysaccharides (starch, chitin/chitosan, alginate) or proteins (collagen, fibrin, silk fibroin) enabling developing engineered systems with outstanding biological performance. The innovative use of its characteristics, taking advantage of the similar structure or composition with respect to biological tissues, enables designing high performance solutions for biocompatibility, biodegradability and bioactivity of biomaterials. Also the advanced areas of tissue engineering, drug delivery and smart/active/adaptive systems may benefit from the wealth of natural polymers existing in nature.

Immune Engineering SIG

Over the past decade the focus of many bioengineers and clinicians has been shifting towards "immune engineering" approaches that include but are not limited to engineered biomaterials for vaccines, immunotherapy (immune-modulation), cell and gene therapy, immune microenvironment engineering, and systems immunology. These research areas embrace a comprehensive list of translational immunology-associated problems including chronic infections, autoimmune diseases, aggressive cancers, allergies, etc. The purpose of the Immune Engineering SIG is to bring together emerging ideas and provide a venue for professional interaction to a large number of academic and industrial research groups and scientists working in these areas.

Immunoengineering at Interfaces

This session will focus on the design and analysis of biomaterial interfaces that interact with and/or manipulate the immune system. The session will focus on studies that evaluate how fundamental properties of biomaterial interfaces regulate cellular and molecular interactions with the immune system, as well as how biomaterials can be chemically or physically modified to manipulate specific immune components. Studies that utilize biomolecular analyses (e.g., next-generation sequencing) to evaluate these biomaterial-immune system interactions will be prioritized.

Immunomodulatory Biomaterials

This session will highlight recent advances in the design and application of biomaterials that actively shape immune responses for therapeutic benefit. These biomaterials will span natural and synthetic materials engineered to modulate both innate and adaptive immunity in contexts including tissue repair, regenerative medicine, autoimmune disease, allergies, cancer immunotherapy, and transplantation. Topics will include, but are not limited to, the delivery of immunomodulators and imaging agents, antigen delivery, scaffolds for immunomodulation, microbiome modulation, combination therapies, cell-based therapies, and hydrogels for driving immune cell recruitment and polarization.

Leveraging Commercial Production and Regulatory Insights in Preclinical Biomaterials Research

Speakers present abstracts about how they have used commercial production and regulatory insights (such as Quality by Design, Lean Six Sigma, Process Qualification and Validation, and Quality Management Systems) to advance their research towards clinical relevance. Abstracts from commercial, government, and non-profit organizations as well as from academia or new start-ups are encouraged. Approximately 4-6 talks with Q&A will be occur during the session.

Model Systems for Evaluation of Drug Delivery Biomaterials

Successful translation of drug delivery systems for therapeutic applications is often limited by the ability to reproduce findings from model systems or organisms in larger animals, or ultimately human patients. This session will feature talks from researchers evaluating drug delivery systems for translational use in new disease models, large, animals, human organ-on-a-chip models, or other micro-physiological systems intended to evaluate delivery technology safety or efficacy for human translation. Studies conducted in immune competent or immune compromised rodents are outside of the scope of this session. This session is sponsored by the Drug Delivery SIG.

Multi-Scale Manipulation of Biomaterials and Cells for Advanced 3D In Vitro Models

This session focuses on the multi-scale manipulation of biomaterials and cells to advance the development of next-generation three-dimensional (3D) in vitro models. As the field moves beyond traditional 2D cultures, innovative strategies are emerging to engineer complex tissue-like systems that replicate the hierarchical structure and dynamic behavior of native microenvironments. This session will highlight approaches spanning nano- to macro-scale manipulation—including microfluidics, biofabrication, bioprinting, namely through precision biomaterial engineering—to guide cell behavior, tissue-like organization, and function. Emphasis will be placed on smart biomaterials, spatiotemporal control of biochemical and mechanical cues, and the orchestration of cell–cell and cell–matrix interactions. Applications in disease modeling, organ-on-chip, and personalized medicine will be discussed, alongside current challenges such as reproducibility, scalability, and translational potential. By bridging biomaterial science, cell engineering, and microsystem technologies, this session aims to spark dialogue around the tools and frameworks necessary for building more predictive and physiologically relevant in vitro systems.

Nano-Immuno Interfaces in Regenerative Medicine: Cross-Talk at the Bone, Tooth, and Implant Frontier

This session will explore the convergence of nanoscale design of biomaterials and biomimetic approaches with immuno-modulation strategies to tackle challenges in orthopedic, dental, and hard/soft tissue regeneration. Emphasis will be placed on how nanostructured biomaterials that can be engineered to engage the immune system in promoting osseointegration, preventing infection, and accelerating tissue repair. By integrating cutting-edge nanoscale insights with immune-dental-ortho interfaces, this symposium highlights translational opportunities and regulatory considerations critical for next-generation implants and regenerative platforms.

Nanomaterials in Cancer Theranostics and Immunomodulation

The aim of this session is to provide the biomaterials community with a unique forum to discuss the latest advances in (i) cancer multimodal imaging using nanomaterials (NMs) from translational studies across organ systems to leading-edge technological developments; (ii) non-invasive cancer therapies using actuated NMs and their implications in remotely controlled nanomedicines; and (iii) immunomodulation using NMs in biological and biomedical settings.

Nanomaterials in Health & Disease

This session is intended to focus on mechanistic aspects of nanomaterial development leading to their application for treatment or diagnoses of disease. We encourage submissions that make the connection between mechanistic observations (such as nanomaterial surface characteristics, formulation approaches, or mode of interaction with cells and tissues) and the outcomes of such systems in vivo. This may include work on targeted delivery, biosensors, therapeutics, imaging agents, or others. The underlying theme for this session focuses on the principal that better understanding of mechanism leads to better material engineering. We welcome abstract submission from all scientific levels (trainee to faculty) and encourage topics that address diseases and topics that are otherwise understudied.

Nanomaterials SIG

The goal of this session is to exchange ideas involving the unique science and technology present in biomaterials at the nanoscale. Abstracts collectively focused on nanoscale discovery, design, and application are welcome. More specifically, 1) discoveries at the nanoscale and their connection to macroscale properties and behaviors of biomaterials; 2) design and synthesis of nanobiomaterials as relevant for improved devices, diagnostics and therapeutics; and 3) application of nanomaterials to achieve intended biological significance and medical impact. Of particular interest is translational research on nanomaterials effects in the body, including tracking, biodistribution, toxicity, and theranostics. Additional interest lies in the use of multiscale modeling in connecting nanoscale structures and phenomena with macroscale systems in biology and medicine.

New Progress, Challenges, & Opportunities in Biomaterials Development Against Antibiotic Resistance

The dramatically increasing incidence of drug-resistant bacterial strains has significantly limited treatment options for infections, particularly those associated with implants. As a result, modern surgical procedures involving implants or medical devices face an increasing risk of persistent, hard-to-treat biomaterial-associated infections. This symposium will spotlight the latest progress in developing innovative biomaterials aimed at preventing or combating antibiotic-resistant infections and biofilms. Topics will include antimicrobial coatings, biofilm-resistant surfaces, responsive drug delivery systems, and strategies to enhance host immune response. In addition, the symposium will address critical challenges in translating these technologies to clinical settings, such as regulatory barriers, long-term safety, and microbial adaptability. Special emphasis will be placed on the biological mechanisms of biofilm formation and the interaction between biomaterials and host tissues. By fostering interdisciplinary dialogue, this symposium aims to identify promising opportunities and future directions in the fight against antibiotic resistance through advanced biomaterial innovations.

Ophthalmic Biomaterials SIG

The Ophthalmic Biomaterials Special Interest Group focuses on both the development and biocompatibility testing of materials for the augmentation and replacement of diseased ocular tissues and the development and testing of drug delivery systems to the anterior and posterior segments of the eye. Some specific areas of interest include but are not limited to: wetting of surfaces; surface modification and protein adsorption of polymers used for refractive devices; transport through polymers, drug delivery systems, and technologies; vitreous replacement fluids; retinal tamponades, and glaucoma drainage devices for the regulation of intraocular pressure.

Oral Biomaterials to Modulate Immunity and the Gut Microbiome

The gastrointestinal (GI) tract is an extensive and dynamic tissue system that also houses a complex microbiome that outnumbers host cells. Dysregulation of the microbiome and/or host immune and gastrointestinal cells not only underlies GI diseases, but also influences systemic diseases. Ingestible biomaterials can be engineered to interact with the GI environment and cells to control their behavior, providing a convenient route to treat and diagnose disease. Biomaterials can also be designed to deliver molecules to modulate the gut environment, influencing the host cell responses as well as the gut microbiome.   

This session focuses on the design and application of oral biomaterials to modulate gastrointestinal immunity and/or the microbiome, to treat and/or diagnose systemic or gastrointestinal disease. This theme includes: oral drug delivery systems, biomaterials properties-gastrointestinal environment interactions, immunomodulatory effects/impacts of oral biomaterials, and microbiome responses to biomaterials.

Orthopaedic Biomaterials SIG

There are increasing demands for orthopedic biomaterials which play critical roles in patient care. This session invites presentations on metals, ceramics, and polymers that are used every day in modern orthopedic applications. Particular focuses will include octacalcium phosphates, bioabsorbable metallic materials, biomaterial degradation and impacts, and additive manufacturing. Applications will span across orthopedic, cardiovascular, craniomaxillofacial implants, etc. In vitro, in vivo, and in silico studies, as well as studies focusing on commercialization and clinical/translational challenges are welcome.

Peptide Biomaterials for Therapeutic Applications

Peptides are chemically defined and possess a wide range of biofunctions including ligand binding, proteolytic susceptibility, and self-assembly. Owing to these features, peptide-based biomaterials show wide range of capacities to encapsulate payload, to engage cellular receptors, to respond to stimuli and surrounding environments, and to modulate cell functions as drug or immune antigens. We will feature recent advances in the development of biomaterials including, but not limited to, peptides acting as bioactive components, peptides functioning as targeting ligands, and peptides serving as scaffold building blocks, for therapeutic applications.

Re-Imagining Biocompatibility Evaluation for Drug Carriers

Biocompatibility is defined as the ability of a material to perform with an appropriate host response in a specific application. This raises a key question - how should "appropriate" responses be defined and measured for a growing range of drug delivery biomaterials, particularly for the sake of standards development. This session (intended as invited speakers) will highlight diverse perspectives in the quality control and safety evaluation of different classes of drug delivery biomaterials for translational application.

Sex as Biological Variable in Biomaterials Research

Sex differences exist in both health and disease, yet our mechanistic knowledge of the underlying sex-specific molecular and cellular mechanisms involved remain poorly characterized. In terms of biomaterials, the effects of sex on processes such as fibrosis, wound healing, tissue regeneration, and immune rejection, are only now beginning to be appreciated. In this session, we seek to highlight the latest research in biomaterials-based technologies that enable sex-specific understanding of biological mechanisms in health and disease. Topics in this session include (and are not limited to) using biomaterials to design sex-specific cellular microenvironments, understand sex-specific disease pathologies and immune responses, and and develop sex-specific drug delivery and tissue engineered approaches. Incorporating sex as a biological variable in biomaterials research may enable the improved understanding of sex differences in health and disease and provide a path toward sex-specific therapies to help benefit diverse patient populations.

Stimuli-Responsive Biomaterials

Materials that respond to environmental stimuli, such as heat, light, pH, or biological signals, provide unique tools for environmentally-responsive and/or temporal changes in biomaterial properties over time. This session will focus on materials, including hybrid materials, that can be stimulated with a variety of physiological and external stimuli to achieve desired outcomes. Research related to the use of stimuli-responsive materials that respond to endogenous or exogenous signals to (1) trigger drug delivery, (2) study and control the cellular response to microenvironmental changes, and/or (3) drive tissue regeneration and disease treatment is of particular interest.

Surface Characterization & Modification SIG

The Surface Characterization and Modification Special Interest Group emphasizes two major research topics: 1) improving understanding of biomaterial surface structure and its relationship to biological performance, and 2) developing surface modification strategies for biomaterials. Some research areas that fall under these topics include spectroscopic, microscopic, and biochemical surface characterization, thin film deposition; chemical and ion surface modification; lubrication, passivation/corrosion, and biological films; and quality assurance of device surfaces. This Special Interest Group will be active in arranging workshops, symposia, and annual meeting sessions for the Society. Through these venues the Special Interest Group will provide a forum for exchange of ideas, methods, and expertise in surface characterization and modification.

Tissue Engineering SIG

Tissue Engineering SIG is a forum to exchange information, further knowledge, and promote greater awareness regarding all aspects of the use of biomaterials to engineering tissue substitutes or to promote tissue regeneration. Of primary interest and relevance to TE SIG is the use of appropriate materials (synthetic and natural) with cells (either native or from a donor source) and/or biological response modifiers (e.g., growth factors, cytokines and other recombinant products) to replace tissue and organ functions. Particular emphasis is placed on the development of materials to better incorporate, protect, and deliver both the cells and biological response modifiers to help promote the healing and regenerative processes. The group is committed to forging interactions among basic scientists, applied scientists, engineers, clinicians, industrial members, professional societies in related fields, and regulatory groups in its efforts to expand and effectively utilize the shared knowledge base in this multidisciplinary field.

Tissue Engineering: From Polymer Fibers and Coatings to Additive Manufacturing

This session will highlight interdisciplinary innovations in tissue engineering that merge polymer fiber fabrication, surface modification, and additive manufacturing. Focus will be placed on the design and functionalization of nanomaterials and biomaterials to improve biomaterial–tissue interactions, promote cellular integration, and support tissue regeneration. Key topics include electrospinning, melt electro-writing, bioactive surface coatings, and 3D bioprinting, with applications spanning cardiovascular repair, wound healing, and organ scaffolding. The session will also feature emerging strategies at the intersection of materials science and biology, aiming to drive translational outcomes.

Translation of Synthetic Tissue Scaffolds to the Clinic

In recent years, there has been widespread clinical adoption of structured and nonwoven based products driven by their effectiveness from FDA-cleared devices that leverage a variety of fabrication techniques, for example electrospinning, melt blowing, melt electrowriting, and additive manufacturing, particularly in the market segments of orthopedics and wound care. These devices, often formed from resorbable materials, have proven successful in clinical settings where more traditional solutions have failed to deliver desired results. Translation from conceptual research to commercially available devices has proven to be a challenge, but not insurmountable. The power of such devices is evidenced by their remarkable properties from: 1) topographical mimicry of the native ECM, 2) high-surface area for cellular and tissue interaction, 3) delivery of biomolecules and 4) surprisingly, the potentially positive benefit of their degradation by-products. This session seeks to expand upon current understanding of the mechanistic action of tissue scaffold products focusing on their topographical cues, delivery of biomolecules, evaluation of size-scale effects wherein micro-, nano-, and meso-scale architectures and degradation by-products interact within the local milieu of a wound and homeostatic environments.

Unconventional Biomaterials for Tissue Engineering and Regenerative Medicine

Tissue engineering faces challenges in translating biomaterials into 3D constructs that mimic native tissue properties. Traditional methods are often complex, costly, and difficult to scale. Despite advances in biomaterial development, functional and manufacturing limitations still exist. To address these challenges, researchers are turning to unconventional, biomimetic materials sourced from nature and everyday items. This session covers innovative strategies using sustainable, widely available materials, such as plants, silk, paper, eggshells, textiles, and marine organisms, to enhance scalability, reduce costs, and expand biomedical applications globally.