Abstract Submission Categories

 

3D Printed Metal Nanoparticle Composites for Tissue Regeneration

Thermoplastics are inexpensive, easy to process, chemically stable, lightweight, and flexible materials making them attractive for use in 3D printing applications. Customization potential, freedom of design, print fidelity, and the ability to manufacture complex structures with new functionalities are key advantaged of 3D printing. Metal nanoparticles (MNPs) are also inexpensive and come with a range of biological properties. Metal alloy thermoplastic composed filaments are cheap and, with new extruder technology, are easy to fabricate, offering significant increases in flexibility, mechanical strength, antimicrobial properties, and tissue regenerative properties, depending on the metal nanoparticle employed. This symposium thus focuses on 3D printing of MNP-reinforced materials for tissue regeneration.

Antimicrobial and Antibiofilm Biomaterials Strategies

Treatment of microbial infections is complicated by rising antibiotic resistance and the inherent difficulty of treating biofilm-associated infections. In both scenarios, many current FDA approved antimicrobial drugs are ineffective, leading to a significant health and economic burden. Compounding these issues is a lack of development of new antimicrobial drug classes limiting the pipeline of available therapeutics. Advances in antimicrobial biomaterial therapies have the potential to improve outcomes for bacterial, fungal, viral, and biofilm-associated infections. Innovations in biomaterials are critically needed in the face of the COVID-19 pandemic, both for treatments of the SARS-CoV-2 virus, and also for effective treatment of the severe bacterial and fungal co-infections that have been reported. This session will cover biomaterials approaches to treat bacterial, fungal, and viral infections, including the prevention and eradication of biofilms. Strategies discussed may include antimicrobial surface modifications, device coatings, drug delivery, and immune engineering approaches.

Anti-Thrombogenic Coatings/Biomaterials for Vascular Applications

Thrombosis and intimal hyperplasia have been the major complications of bypass graft surgery. Autologous vessels are the gold standard for bypass graft surgeries. However, due to unavailability of healthy autologous arteries, synthetic polymers have been widely employed for the fabrication of vascular grafts. Synthetic polymers are associated with high rates of thrombosis and intimal hyperplasia especially small diameter vessels and low flow blood velocity zones. Hence, there has been extensive research performed on coatings and surface modification strategies to improve the performance of endovascular devices and grafts. This symposium will highlight some of the recent in vitro and in vivo research and advancements in surface modification techniques/characterization and biomaterial coatings that can prevent the events and incidence of thrombosis and intimal hyperplasia. This session will also include review of abstracts on next generation biomaterials that have the potential to promote endothelialization and prevent inflammation.

Biomaterial Innovations for Women’s and Children’s Health: Translation from Idea to the Clinic

Biomaterials research to address problems in the area of women's and children’s health remains underserved, requiring further attention from the scientific community to advance progress in this field. Women’s and children’s health requires a physiologically appropriate approach in the research and development of devices and medical therapies. These requirements are unique and do not lend themselves well to simply adapting those initially designed for adult males, which innovations in biomaterials can address.  This session explores research into medical devices, therapeutics, and drug delivery systems specifically targeting the women’s and child health patient population, from research innovation, through prototypes to clinical delivery. This session will stimulate discussion in areas including but not limited to pelvic floor disorders, breast reconstruction, reproductive health and contraception, new fertility treatments, maternal-fetal interface models, and more.  The ability to achieve the “bench to bedside” requires a thorough understanding of regulatory requirements for devices, therapeutics and biologics. This session seeks to include discussion on the processes of innovation, development and full clinical implementation to achieve impactful changes in women’s and children’s health

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 Education

Biomaterials Education

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 & Medical Products Commercialization

Biomaterials & Medical Products Commercialization

B&MPC SIG members exchange ideas and experiences about the commercialization of medical products dependent upon biomaterials for utility and efficacy.  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; as well as perceptions of safety and patient benefits.  Translation from development to marketing of safe and innovative medical products is challenged by the inconsistent availability of biomaterials in the shadow of these concerns, and a politically lively healthcare arena.  Join the Biomaterials and Medical Products Commercialization SIG to enhance your knowledge and coping skills in the dynamic healthcare community.

Biodegradable and Bio-reactive Smart Materials

Has the future arrived where implantable biomaterials degrade on cue or materials adapt to the physical, chemical and/or mechanical environment? Do they react to physiological stimuli to assist with treatment? This could be scaffolds that stay or go depending on the need in the local environment. It could be materials that get stronger with exercise. It could be drug delivery only as needed based on physiological triggers. If you have been working on bioactive, biodegradable, or reactive biomaterials at any stage of research then submit an abstract for this session. Those abstracts that can show variation in modification of the behavior of the material for a clinical purpose have the best chance of being accepted.

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. 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 Systems for Immunomodulation & Immune Cell Therapy

We have only recently begun to appreciate the immune system's ability to prevent and cure disease; however, unlocking its full potential to fight disease will require the implementation of biomaterial technologies. This session focuses on the use of biomaterial systems to enhance and direct the immune response for therapeutic or prophylactic gain. Example biomaterial innovations in this space include lymph node-targeting nanoparticles, intradermal microneedles, and scaffolds for engineered T cell expansion as well as drug and gene delivery vehicles that modulate the function of native immune cells.

Biomaterial-Based In Vitro Cancer/Tumor Models for Drug Screening and Diagnostics

Biomaterial-based in vitro cancer/tumor models offer a close mimic of the complex tumor microenvironment, providing versatile platforms for drug and toxicology screening as well as diagnostics. The implementation of these preclinical tools can afford low-cost, easy-to-use systems to evaluate cancer treatments, enhancing the efficacy and toxicological assessment for specific patients, mitigating the limitations of current technologies, and expanding the treatment options and patient’s quality of life.

Biomaterials Approaches to Address Health and Healthcare Disparities

The unprecedented nature of the COVID-19 pandemic has reintroduced/continued the conversation about the health inequities that disproportionately affect individuals with social, economic, and/or environmental disadvantages. This session will showcase the current status and future of purposefully designed biomaterials to address both health and healthcare disparities that disproportionately affect individuals with social, economic, and/or environmental disadvantages. The session will begin with a keynote speaker addressing the importance and future of biomaterials in disparity research, followed by short oral presentations. This session will encompass a diverse portfolio of topics including (but not limited to) cheaper alternative materials for medical care in the Global South and remote areas, sex-specific cell-biomaterial interactions, the development of biomaterial in vitro models to study diseases relevant to global health, oral vaccine delivery, and the fabrication antiviral biomaterials to combat HIV and COVID-19.

Biomaterials for Organoids

Three-dimensional ex vivo organoid cultures using biomaterial-based assembly and self-assembly have been shown to resemble and recapitulate most of the functionality of diverse multicellular tissues and organs, such as the gut, brain, liver, kidney, and lung. Organoids bridge a gap in existing model systems by providing a more stable system amenable to extended cultivation and manipulation while more representative of in vivo physiology. This session will cover the most recent advancements of biomaterials-mediated organoid and tissue chip technologies in regenerative medicine, cancer therapy, drug testing, environmental control, monitoring, adaptive sensing, and translational applications. This topic was well-received in the 2021 SFB meeting and is an exciting emerging research area. In 2022, we will continue this session and promote translational research to biomaterials-mediated organoid projects' commercial viability.

Biomaterials for Pancreatic Islet Replacement and Immune Tolerance in T1D

The advent of new sources of beta cells, including from stem cells, has greatly advanced the potential of beta cell replacement as a functional cure for type 1 diabetes and some forms of type 2 diabetes. A major barrier that remains to be solved is blocking or modulating immune effectors while simultaneously promoting islet survival and function. Biomaterials play a central role in addressing this challenge, as vehicles for islet delivery, as microenvironments supportive of islet function, and as sites of immune modulation.

Biomaterials for Regenerative Engineering

Regenerative engineering aims to develop functional, bioactive, and instructive biomaterials and approaches for the regeneration of tissues through a convergence of engineering, medicine, developmental biology, and stem cell science. This symposium will highlight recent trends in developing functional biomaterials that play an active role 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. This session will also highlight the biomaterials that can direct cell fate and promote differentiation. Moreover, the biomaterials that can facilitate drug delivery and immunomodulation will be covered through oral and poster presentations. During the symposium, translational strategies for handling these biomaterials from ‘Bench to Bedside’ will also be addressed. We expect that our interdisciplinary session, including material science, chemistry, biology, engineering, and medicine, will be of great significance to clinicians, industry members, and academia.

Biomaterials for Sustainable Food Systems

The focus of this symposium will be on the use of biomaterials in contributing to global food security and sustainability. Projects on food product development, sustainable food processing, cellular agriculture, hybrid and cultured meats, and plant-based alternative proteins are encouraged to apply. Presenters will represent scientists, food technologists and industry players to design the future of food, leveraging biotechnology and biomaterials to increase scalability, sustainability, affordability and production efficiency of food systems.

Biomaterials for Trauma, Surgery and Wound Healing Applications *BTI*

Stopping bleeding (hemostasis) and providing spatio-temporal wound care via passive and/or bioactive mechanisms is an important translational area of biomaterials-based technologies and includes external, intracavitary and intravascular hemostats, dressings, powders, foams, fibers and gels. The goal of this session is to highlight recent advances in biomaterials, biosystems/microdevices and related technologies that focus on hemostasis, thrombosis, and/or wound healing. The proposed session will invite presentations from researchers in this field that emphasize biomaterials design, structure-property-function relationships, device/technology design, and relevant translation pathways. Presentations focused on material considerations for microdevices for investigating hemostatic pathways are also of interest for this session.

Biomaterials in Engineering the Tumor Immune Microenvironment

Malignant cells of the tumor co-exist with non-malignant cells in a 3D space, along with structural and secreted components. Immune cells of many types such as macrophages, dendritic cells, mast cells, T-cells and more make up the tumor immune microenvironment (TIME). Biomaterials are incorporated in bioengineering the TIME for multiple purposes: (1) creating bioengineered models to further fundamental immuno-oncology studies; and (2) modulating anti-tumor immune response. Cancer-immune cell interactions in the TIME are specifically important to study for the development of immunotherapies to treat various types of cancer. Not only is engineering the TIME useful for drug discovery, it can also provide mechanistic insights into cancer-immune cell interactions within the TIME that can be used to develop targeted immuno-therapies. In this session, we will explore all aspects of biomaterials used to engineer the tumor immune microenvironment.

Biomimetic Hydrogels for Drug Delivery and Tissue Engineering Applications

Biomimetic materials draw inspiration from nature for their structure and properties. This session will focus on drug delivery and tissue engineering scaffolds that incorporate bioinspired components for scaffold physical or biological properties. We are soliciting abstracts on research that involves synthetic materials that mimic natural materials or that follow a design motif derived from nature.

Biophysical Strategies for Regulation of Cellular Microenvironments

Biophysical factors directed by biomaterials are known to play important roles in regulating cellular behavior by influencing gene and protein expression, protein localization, and cell signaling activity. This session focuses on biomaterial-based strategies for regulating biophysical factors in engineered cellular microenvironments. Topics include but are not limited to novel uses of biomaterials for regulation of nano- and micro-topographical and ligand patterning cues, normal and shear stress environments, thermosensitive properties, and physical parameters of fiber networks for regulating cellular phenotype. This includes studies incorporating novel strategies for control of biophysical parameters in biomaterial design for engineering of physiological models as well as fundamental studies of the mechanisms by which cells utilize biophysical cues from the biomaterials in their microenvironment to elicit specific biological outcomes. The studies presented in this session will contribute to the design of next-generation biomaterials capable of precisely and predictably directing cellular behaviors.

Bioprinting for Tissue Engineering: from Open Source to Commercial Platforms

Some of the earliest work in 3D printing for tissue engineering utilized common inkjet printers that were hacked to be able to dispense biomaterial and cells. More recently, increasingly sophisticated technologies to build 3D constructs ranging from extrusion through microfluidics-based dispensing to electro-writing and spinning have been incorporated into commercially available bioprinters. This session will look to explore cutting edge research to develop novel bio-inks, create complex scaffold designs, etc. in the context of applying bioprinting technologies to tissue engineering. Abstracts are encouraged to be submitted by those working with self-built or open source bioprinting platforms as well as from those developing or using advanced commercially available systems. The goal of the session is to demonstrate a diversity of perspectives regarding technology development ranging from academia to industry.

Cardiovascular Biomanufacturing

Biomanufacturing is an emerging field for developing technologies to fabricate bio-related products using natural or synthetic or hybrid biomaterials, and cells and cell-based products. This session will highlight the development and application of 3D printed cardiovascular products, organoids, organ-on-chips, vascularized constructs, and other related products for cardiovascular engineering.

Cardiovascular Biomaterials (SIG)

The Cardiovascular 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.

Challenges for Total Joint Replacement Materials

The top three reasons for revision for total joint replacements have been consistent for many years: loosening, infection, and pain. Are there improvements in materials that can help reduce these top three reasons for revision? Do you have a material that can help maintain biological ingrowth and stability over a longer and longer period of use? Should the material used in the current and next total joints have an anti-infective quality? How can the material help reduce pain? This session will focus on innovations for total joint replacement materials.

Characterization of Materials for Regulatory Submissions

As the need for commercially-viable biomaterials grow so does an emphasis on characterization, evaluation, and commercial-scale manufacturing. Designing and developing novel biomaterials with commercial viability in mind from the beginning is key in successfully bringing materials to market. This session will highlight novel characterization approaches as well as discuss current practices in biomaterial evaluations. Presentations will also focus on material evaluation for regulatory submissions and methods of commercial-scale manufacturing. This topic would be helpful for researchers who are interested in developing their materials/devices for translational applications. We will discuss how to translate innovative research into commercial viability with a focus on:
• Characterization methods for novel materials
• Discussion of current regulatory approaches
• Designing materials with the end goal of commercialization

Commercialization and Regulatory Paths of Non-Fusion Spine Technologies

Spinal fusion remains the most common spine procedure for the treatment of a variety of degenerative spinal conditions, and though the number of procedures and associated costs increase each year, there is a little consensus on its efficacy. In most cases, the pathway towards spinal fusion is based on unsuccessful conservative therapies and the lack of reasonable therapeutic alternatives. This lack of alternatives often leads surgeons to accept potential risks, side-effects and complications to help patients get rid of their symptoms. Thus, there is a need to explore alternative technologies targeting commercialization and regulatory approval. This session aims to highlight the translation, development, and commercialization of such novel spinal technologies, and how they compare and contrast to the most recent development not only in fusion, but also conservative care options. Works with late-stage pre-clinical developments, clinical feasibility results, and those that feature insight from diverse regulatory bodies around the globe from a will be given focus.

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.

Design and Preclinical Testing of Biomaterials for Pathogen Inactivation

Due to the global COVID-19 pandemic, the threat of antibiotic resistant bacteria, and the risk of implant-associated infections, strategies for pathogen inactivation play an increasingly important role in biomaterials development. Antimicrobial biomaterials and surfaces can prevent implant failure, improve clinical outcomes, and reduce treatment costs. This session will cover topics related to designing and characterizing biomaterials to control bacterial, viral, and/or fungal responses. Topics relating to the study of biocompatibility of pathogen-resistant surfaces and the selection and use of in vitro and preclinical models of infection in biomaterials evaluation are also invited.

Drug Delivery (SIG)

The Drug Delivery Special Interest Group will deal with the science and technology of controlled release of active agents from delivery systems. Controlled drug release is achieved by the use of diffusion, chemical reactions, dissolutions or osmosis, used either singly or in combination. While the vast majority of such delivery devices are based on polymers, controlled release can also be achieved by the use of mechanical pumps. In a broader sense, controlled release also involves control over the site of action of the active agent, using the active agent using pro-drugs, targetable water soluble polymers or various microparticulate systems. Relevant aspects of toxicology, bioavailability, pharmacokinetics, and biocompatibility are also included.

Drug Delivery for Cardiovascular Applications

Drug delivery is currently an important part of cardiovascular biomaterials including drug-eluting stents, vascular grafts, cardiac patches, and angiogenesis strategies. However, there are still new biomaterials and controlled release strategies that are needed. Topics of interest include methods to prevent thrombosis, intimal hyperplasia, scar tissue formation, and infection of cardiovascular grafts.

Engineered Biomaterials for Neural Applications

Engineered biomaterials are uniquely positioned for use in creating, testing, and regenerating neural tissue with applications like in vitro models of injury and disease, therapeutic treatments, understanding neural development, and mapping the brain. This session will focus on cutting edge research in neural biomaterials including fundamental material development through pre-clinical studies. These include big questions surrounding understanding and treating diseases and injuries of the peripheral and central nervous systems spanning stem and progenitor cells, neurons, astrocytes, oligodendrocytes, microglia, and Schwann cells.

Engineering Cells and Their Microenvironments (SIG)

The Engineering Cells & Their Microenvironments Special Interest Group concentrates on technologies and approaches focused at the single cell level and encompassing engineering cell microenvironments, biomaterial-induced cell signaling, stem cell manufacturing and differentiation, immunoengineering, and biomaterials for cell-based detection and diagnosis.

Engineering the Lung Microenvironment

The COVID-19 pandemic has put lung health in the spotlight. Advances in biomaterial design and microfabrication offer the potential to create in vitro models of the pulmonary microenvironment. These models can be used to develop treatments for acute conditions such as COVID-19, to investigate mechanisms of chronic disease progression, for toxicology testing, and may even eliminate the need for animal experimentation in the future. This symposium will focus on the opportunities associated with using biomaterials to engineer the lung microenvironment and potential impacts on pulmonary medicine.

Functionality of Engineered Cardiovascular Tissues

A hallmark of successful biomaterials is their ability to match or improve upon native tissue function. This is especially true for biomaterials employed in the cardiovascular system. The dynamic nature of the cardiovascular system makes in vitro and in vivo evaluation of cardiac function an interesting field of study. This session will highlight approaches to augment and/or evaluate functionality of engineered cardiovascular tissues. This may include (but is not limited to) quantification and imaging of cardiac rhythm, myocardial strain, vessel strength, computational modeling and electrophysiology.

Generation After Next Biomaterial-Based Vaccines

This session will focus on biomaterials that have been developed for delivery of vaccines to treat immune-related diseases. Specifically, this session will focus on traditional vaccines, non-traditional vaccines, and next generation vaccines that have made great impact in the clinic and research.

Immune Cell Interfaces: Immunotherapies, Implants, and Immunobiology

Interfaces with and among immune cells are critical to homeostasis and can lead to the success or failure of new therapies and medical devices. This session aims to shed light on our emerging understanding of immune cell-cell and cell-biomaterial interfacial phenomena and methods to engineer these interactions in order to better diagnose and treat human diseases. Application areas include (but are not limited to): therapeutics (natural and synthetic), diagnostic devices, screening approaches, implants, cell/tissue matrices, bioreactors, modeling, etc.

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.

Immunomodulatory Biomaterials

This session will focus on engineered biomaterials for modulate and regulate immune functions in the settings of autoimmune diseases, allergies, transplantation, cancer immunotherapies, etc. Specifically, the session will cover topic ranging from biomaterials for drug delivery of immunomodulators and imaging agents, antigen delivery, scaffolds for immunomodulation, microbiome modulation, cell-based therapies, etc. Cutting-edge immunoengineering platforms will be included.

Innovation and Entrepreneurship in Biomaterials Education

From new virtual learning techniques to newly adopted industry standards for testing biomaterial-based physiological systems, to the ever-growing importance of entrepreneurial skills in the workplace, to new advances in the development and implementation of biomaterials, there has been a great deal of recent innovation in the field of biomaterials education. This session will focus on highlighting novel educational methods for shaping the next generation of biomaterials community members to meet the current and future needs of the industry by accelerating needs scavenging, innovative thinking, problem-solving, and business startups implementation. Topics will include methods for integrating new standards education modules into established biomaterials curriculums, incorporating innovation and entrepreneurial process in curriculums, how to maximize learning through the integration of virtual and in-person learning activities in a post-pandemic classroom environment, and methods for engaging the end-user, , industry, and entrepreneurial communities in student education.

In-Vitro Assessment of Long-Term Implants and Explant Analysis

Can we get better at predicting the environmental effect of long-term implantation on materials/products? Do you have an in-vitro method for challenging a biomaterial and/or implant to the rigors of long-term use in the body? Are there accelerated aging or degradation test methods that are better predictors of material performance? Do explants help us define the appropriate testing and methodologies? This session is for presenting advancements in in-vitro testing of material/product degradation.

Leveraging Advanced Biomaterials for Infectious Diseases

Machine Learning in Biomaterials Chemistry

Machine learning and artificial intelligence (AI) provides new opportunities for data-driven design of complex materials. This new paradigm challenges standard conventions as rational design by humans may underappreciate the complexity of some biomaterial design requirements. Now, we are seeing renewed focus on combinatorial biomaterials chemistry as we complement these high throughput experimental tools with machine learning and AI. The same is also true for modeling approaches that inform new chemistries and the design of materials. In this session, we hope to explore a range of topics on how machine learning and AI can be applied to problems in biomaterials chemistry and accelerate the rate of new materials development.

Nanomaterials (SIG)

The mission of the Nanomaterials SIG is to advocate for and organize the exchange of ideas involving the unique science and technology present in biomaterials at the nanoscale. By focusing on science, the SIG will champion the continual push to uncover new knowledge at the nanoscale and connect this to macroscale properties and behaviors of biomaterials. Through its focus on technology, the SIG will foster innovative design and synthesis of nanobiomaterials useful in the creation of new and better devices, diagnostics and therapeutics for biomedical applications. The SIG emphasizes an interdisciplinary vision to facilitate the translation of nanomaterials to achieve intended biological significance and medical impact. The vision is to establish the NanoSIG to become a thought leader in the nanobiomaterials research community by emphasizing nanoscience discovery, nanotechnology application, and clinical translation innovation.

Naturally Derived Biomaterials for Cardiovascular Engineering

Although a variety of biomaterials have been utilized to engineer cardiovascular tissues, naturally derived biomaterials remain the ones that exhibit the best effects in tissue regeneration and remodeling. The symposium will overview the state of the art of strategies to engineer cardiovascular tissues with various naturally derived biomaterials, such as cell and tissue derived extracellular matrices and their components. Various emerging approaches, including 3D/4D printing, self-assembling, and spatially patterning, will be discussed. This symposium will include an invited talk from a leader in cardiovascular engineering, who utilize both natural derived biomaterials and advanced engineering technologies to create cardiovascular tissues. This symposium will also highlight other outstanding work in this area from SFB members, through the submitted abstracts.

NSF-Funded Biomaterials Education Projects

This symposium will include program directors from the NSF Biomaterials (BMAT) program discussing opportunities and guidelines for educational outreach projects. Abstracts are invited from awardees of NSF CAREER, Professional Formation of Engineers: Research Initiation in Engineering Formation (PFE: RIEF), and EHR Core Research (ECR): Building Capacity in STEM Education Research (ECR: BCSER) grants to present outcomes from the educational and outreach activities of their awards. Abstracts on assessment tools, curriculum design, and education research funded through other mechanisms are also welcomed.

Ophthalmic Biomaterials (SIG)

The Ophthalmic SIG of Society for Biomaterials will host a session on biomaterials used in ocular applications. This will focus on the latest research in ocular biomaterials from basic science to clinical applications, with a special emphasis on translational research and the challenges associated with translating research to commercial applications. Research topics include, but are not limited to, biomaterials science, tissue engineering, drug delivery, cell-material interactions, and medical devices with ophthalmic applications. Diverse research topics and perspectives are strongly encouraged in this session. In particular, this session will showcase research from academia and industry, including ocular biomaterials currently being translated to the clinic.

Orthopaedic Biomaterials (SIG)

The Orthopaedic Biomaterials Special Interest Group is focusing on new technologies and materials advances in orthopaedic surgery. The three immediate goals of this emerging Special Interest Group are: 1) solicitation of new members for the Special Interest Group from current Society membership and from non-members actively engaged in research and development of improved materials for orthopaedics, 2) identification of key issues in orthopaedic materials that should be addressed within the Society, and 3) cooperation between Special Interest Group membership and the chairman of the Program Committee for the Annual Meeting to assist in the coordination of the scientific program.

Probing Nanomaterial Interactions at Molecular and Cellular Levels

This session is designed to address foundational understanding of how nanomaterials interact with environment at the molecular, cellular, or tissue scales. Topics of interest include (but are not limited to) the following: development of biosensors and probes, nanomaterial formulation, targeted drug delivery or imaging, and computational/in silico studies. The focus here is on understanding how the properties of a nanomaterial alter interactions with its target. Mechanistic and foundational work is a primary focus.

Real-Time Monitoring of Stem Cell Fates and Differentiation

The considerable heterogeneity that arises during stem cell differentiation or cellular reprogramming (cell fate conversion) results in defectively converted and immature cells that fail to reach the final identity of target cells. For the reason, precise monitoring of cell fates during differentiation or reprogramming is extremely important for regenerative medicine using stem cells. With great advances in stem cell engineering, precise in-situ monitoring technologies have been developed for both stem cell differentiation and reprogramming of somatic cells into induced pluripotent stem cells or other somatic cell types of different lineage. In this session, speakers will be invited to make a talk on analysis of expression profiles of specific proteins and RNA for specific markers for stem cell fates. Introduction on updated spectroscopic analysis as well as RNA sequencing techniques will be included to precisely monitor stem cells fates in real time.

Responsive Nanomaterials for Theranostics and Tissue Engineering

The aim of this symposium is to showcase the next generation of nano-enabled molecular diagnostic and therapeutic systems and their use in precision nanomedicine. Over the past few years, there have been substantial advances in the development of functional nanomaterials engineered to systematically change their properties in response to endo/exogeneous stimuli. This behavior enables the use of such responsive nanosystems as therapeutic vectors with controlled release and systemic distribution, as probes for minimally invasive imaging, or as scaffolding materials for in vitro tissues. Efforts towards increasing the sensitivity and specificity of stimuli-responsive nanomaterials continue to emerge, motivating the development of novel systems and the adaptation of well-established responsive materials to novel applications. The proposed symposium will bring attention to the aforementioned efforts, focusing on targeted theranostics using responsive nanomaterials. In particular, the symposium will highlight nanoparticle-biomolecule conjugates that are integrated with functional systems and used as sensing or transducing elements for diagnostic and on-demand therapeutic interventions. We will cover a range of topics that include the safety-by-design and fabrication of responsive nanomaterials, the characterization of their emerging properties, and their implementation in theranostics and tissue engineering. We will span strategies for real time nano-theranostics, e.g., in vivo, in vitro, in line and in situ metrology, and for response-enabled nano-theranostics. The symposium will also welcome applications of responsive nanomaterials in targeted therapies, drug delivery, precision medicine, and regenerative medicine. The symposium will also cover parametric and fundamental studies which showcase key biological, chemical, and physical phenomena observed during nano-theranostics.

Smart Biomaterials for Drug Delivery

Smart biomaterials (i.e., targeted and/or stimuli-responsive) have great potential for efficient delivery of therapeutics, increasing therapeutic activity, while avoiding biological barriers and decreasing toxicity and other adverse effects like drug resistance. Both endogenous and exogeneous stimuli have been utilized to trigger stimuli-responsive materials including pH, temperature, ionic strength, chemical and/or mechanical microenvironment, redox potential, and light. Similarly, many targeting mechanisms ranging from passive (e.g., enhanced permeation and retention) to active targeting approaches (e.g., antibody, nucleic acid, peptide ligand functionalization) have been integrated into targeted drug delivery systems. This session will focus on the development and use of such materials for applications including, but not limited to, cancer, and infectious, orthopedic, ophthalmic, and autoimmune diseases. Researchers from all sectors (academia, clinical, industry, government), are encouraged to submit abstracts.

State-of-the-Art in Sterilization of Biomaterials: Existing Modalities and Novel Techniques Under Development

With the rapid growth of technologies in the fields of regenerative medicine, biologics, and biopharma, the ability to sterilize complex biomaterials has become an important consideration. The minimal compatibility of current sterilization modalities (e.g., steam, e-beam, gamma irradiation, ethylene oxide) has spawned an evolution of novel sterilization techniques showing promise as recognized by the US FDA Innovation Challenge to "Identify New Sterilization Methods and Technologies". Given the complexity of many medical devices, biologics and drugs, there is not likely to be a ‘one size, fits all’ platform for sterilization; thus, multiple new modalities and techniques will be needed, and paths to regulatory approval should be understood. This session aims to present the current challenges as well as existing and emerging sterilization solutions for complex biomaterials, biologics, and bioactives. Contributions focused on one or more of the following areas are of interest to this session: the state-of-the-art in sterilizing biomaterials, biologics, and bioactives; technical innovations; regulatory considerations; and paths to commercialization.

Stimuli-Responsive Materials for Tissue Engineering and Regenerative Medicine

Stimuli-responsive materials allow for localized on-demand manipulation of the cellular microenvironment, providing unique opportunities to control cell behavior and fate. These responsive material systems have shown promise for applications in tissue engineering and regenerative medicine by enabling spatiotemporally-controlled presentation of mechanical properties, chemical cues, and other microenvironmental features. A variety of triggering stimuli, both exogenous and endogenous, have been explored to control these materials including light, ultrasound, electrical stimulation, and magnetic fields, as well as temperature, pH, and various chemical stimuli. This session will highlight recent advances in the development of stimuli-responsive materials for application in tissue engineering and regeneration, including, but not limited to, scaffolds for stem cell control, materials for guiding tissue development, dynamic "4D-patterned" materials, in vitro tissue/disease models, "smart" implantable scaffolds, and stimuli-responsive drug delivery platforms.

Surface Characterization and 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.

Synthetic Scaffolds with Nature-Inspired Functional Groups

Natural, plant-based small molecules (e.g., phenolics, fatty acids) and other higher molecular weight natural derivatives (e.g., starches) provide a multitude of potential functionalities for biomaterial scaffolds, such as antimicrobial, anti-inflammatory, and antioxidant properties. These functional scaffolds could be developed for a broad range of applications, such as in wound healing, blood-contacting materials, and cancer, to improve outcomes while reducing risks associated with synthetic drugs. We invite abstracts on research that covers natural molecule incorporation into biomaterial scaffolds and characterization of their activity, safety, and functionality in vitro or in vivo.

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 Inspired Organ Models For the Testing of the Toxicity of Chemicals

Enabling tissue engineering technologies, including 3d- and bio-printing, nanotechnology and cell manipulation, combined with microfluidics, open the way to a precise recapitulation of the complex human physiology in vitro. In this scenario, the symposium aims at reviewing the most promising approaches towards the realization of new bioinspired devices able to predict the toxicity of chemicals to humans, envisaging pathways towards their adoption in regulatory processes with a consequent reduction of animal experiments.
In this context the symposium aims at collecting, not exclusively, contribution of the scientific community in areas such as those of
- engineering tissues and organs for 3D in vitro models
- cells, tissues and organs on a chip
- human on a chip
- spheroids and organoids
- approaches towards the biomimetic recapitulation of biological and pathological cell environments
- in silico models
- regulatory frameworks
- omics approaches

Translating Nanomaterials to the Clinic

This session is designed to address development of nanomaterial systems for application in treatment or diagnosis of human disease. Topics of interest include (but are not limited to): translational aspects of synthesis or fabrication (including manufacturing, reproducibility, regulatory compliance, environmental/manufacturing, etc), toxicity at cellular or whole body levels, preclinical optimization or testing, therapeutic development, species scaling, clinical testing, and commercialization. The focus here is on developmental and translational aspects of the use of nanomaterials to solve medical problems.

Translation of Tissue Engineering for Cardiovascular Applications

This session is designed to foster greater interaction and collaboration among biomaterial engineers, basic biologists, and clinicians. Speakers will discuss biomaterials-based strategies of engineering of cardiovascular tissues and subsequent testing in preclinical or clinical stages. Topics of interest include vascular grafts, valves, cardiac patches, and engineered therapeutic cells.

Black, Latinx, Indigenous, and Persons of Color in Biomaterials Science

The purpose of this session is to highlight the research conducted by biomaterials scientists and engineers from historically excluded groups and marginalized communities, including but not limited to Black/African American, Hispanic/Latinx, and Native/Indigenous groups. Our session will consist of one invited keynote speaker and 6 short talks from submitted abstracts to our session.