Biomaterials and emerging technologies for tissue engineering and in vitro models

The latest advances in the field of biomaterials have opened new avenues for scientific breakthroughs in tissue engineering which greatly contributed for the successful translation of tissue engineering products into the market/clinics.Biomaterials are easily processed to become similar to natural extracellular matrix, making them ideal temporary supports for mimicking the three-dimensional (3D) microenvironment required for maintaining the adequate cell/tissue functions both in vitro and in vivo [1].The integration of functionalized biomaterials with emerging technologies such as microfluidics and 3D printing brings a myriad of advantages for manufacturing complex tissue designs with broad applications in cell/tissue engineering and regenerative medicine, and in vitro tissue/disease models (Fig. 1).The special issue gathers two excellent reviews and five original works dealing with design and functionalization of biomaterials, advanced manufacturing, and applications in tissue engineering and in vitro models.The recent progresses in 3D printing of Israel are summarized.Moreover, the latest scientific developments related to the biodesign and functionalization strategies of (nano) biomaterials, in particular hydrogels/bioinks and semicrystalline polymers for both enhancing and controlling cell functions, are also provided.An overview of the cellular interplay in 3D in vitro microphysiological disease models with a special focus on microbiota-gut-brain axis is also presented.Finally,