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International Journal of Bioprinting Biomaterials with antibacterial agents

proliferation, and tissue regeneration. Incorporating and accelerate wound healing. The continuous
antibacterial compounds into biomaterials can lead to advancement of 3D bioprinting technology may enable
enhanced antibacterial activity against a range of pathogens the fabrication of more complex and functional tissue
commonly found in chronic wounds, such as S. aureus constructs with precise control over microarchitecture and
and P. aeruginosa. The persistent release of antibacterial mechanical properties. This may include the integration
agents from the biomaterial matrix, which guarantees of vascular networks to improve nutrient and oxygen
a prolonged exposure of the wound bed to therapeutic delivery to the wound site, as well as the incorporation
levels of the antibacterial compounds, serves as a potential of multiple cell types to better mimic the native tissue
mechanism of action underpinning the antibacterial environment. With advances in precision medicine and
effects of these biomaterials. Several techniques can be biomarker discovery, future developments in this field
employed to extend the release profile of the antimicrobial may involve the identification of patient-specific factors
agents, including integration into the hydrogel matrix and that influence wound healing and treatment response,
encapsulation within nanoparticles. In order to foster enabling the development of personalized wound care
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healing, functional biomaterials may also modify the strategies tailored to the unique characteristics of each
wound microenvironment by promoting angiogenesis, patient, which ultimately improve outcomes and reduce
regulating inflammatory response, and preserving ideal healthcare costs. The studies in this field hold promise
moisture levels. Crucially, the antibacterial biomaterials for revolutionizing wound care by combining advanced
must exhibit biocompatibility and possess ability to biomaterials, antibacterial agents, and 3D bioprinting
integrate into tissues so as to facilitate the healing of technology. Continued research and innovation in this area
wounds over time without causing negative consequences will contribute to improving healing outcomes, reducing
such as toxicity or immunological rejection. the burden of chronic wounds, and enhancing the quality
Antibacterial biomaterials will become more of life for millions of patients worldwide.
customizable in order to meet the specific needs of patients Combining antibacterial compounds with functional
as our knowledge about bacterial pathogenesis and wound biomaterials in biological 3D printing for chronic wound
healing mechanisms deepens. Personalized selection of healing is a promising strategy, but it is essential to recognize
antibacterial chemicals may be necessary, considering the several limitations. While antibacterial compounds can
patient’s immunological condition, genetic background, inhibit bacterial growth, their effectiveness may diminish
and the unique microbial composition of the lesion. over time due to microbial resistance or degradation of
Future research may focus on developing biomaterials with the compounds within the wound environment and inside
multifunctional properties beyond antibacterial activity the bioscaffolds. In addition, the stability of antibacterial
to enhance their effectiveness against a broad spectrum compounds within the biomaterials over time, especially
of pathogens, including antibiotic-resistant bacteria. This in the dynamic environment of a healing wound, is a
could involve the development of novel antimicrobial concern. Ensuring sustained release of the compounds
agents, synergistic combinations of existing compounds, while maintaining their effectiveness is challenging.
or strategies to combat bioscaffolds fabrication. For Chronic wounds often have diverse microbial populations
example, incorporating factors that promote angiogenesis, and complex microenvironments. Designing biomaterials
modulate inflammation, or enhance cell proliferation that can effectively target multiple bacterial strains while
could further accelerate the wound healing process promoting tissue regeneration remain a significant
and improve outcomes. Integrating advanced imaging challenge. Biocompatibility and safety of functional
techniques, such as multiphoton microscopy and magnetic biomaterials must be assured before translating them into
resonance imaging (MRI), with computational modeling clinical applications. In addition, the durability and long-
approaches could provide insights into the dynamic term performance of 3D-printed functional biomaterials
interactions between antibacterial biomaterials, host in vivo is crucial. Factors such as degradation, mechanical
cells, and microbial communities within the wound. This stability, and resistance to infection must be carefully
interdisciplinary approach could help optimize biomaterial evaluated over extended periods.
design and predict therapeutic outcomes.
Acknowledgments
Furthermore, researchers may explore the use of
biomaterials with tunable properties to create customized The authors would like to acknowledge the research team
wound dressings or tissue scaffolds tailored to the in the Centre for Tissue Engineering and Regenerative
specific needs of individual patients. This could involve Medicine (CTERM), Faculty of Medicine, Universiti
incorporating bioactive molecules, growth factors, or cells Kebangsaan Malaysia for the technical support throughout
into the biomaterial matrix to promote tissue regeneration the writing of this review.

Volume 10 Issue 4 (2024) 97 doi: 10.36922/ijb.3372