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As a biodegradable and biocompatible protein derived from collagen, gelatin has been extensively exploited as a fundamental component of biological scaffolds and drug delivery systems for precise medicine. The easily engineered gelatin holds great promise in formulating various delivery systems to protect and enhance the efficacy of drugs for improving the safety and effectiveness of numerous pharmaceuticals. The remarkable biocompatibility and adjustable mechanical properties of gelatin permit the construction of active 3D scaffolds to accelerate the regeneration of injured tissues and organs. In this Review, we delve into diverse strategies for fabricating and functionalizing gelatin-based structures, which are applicable to gene and drug delivery as well as tissue engineering. We emphasized the advantages of various gelatin derivatives, including methacryloyl gelatin, polyethylene glycol-modified gelatin, thiolated gelatin, and alendronate-modified gelatin. These derivatives exhibit excellent physicochemical and biological properties, allowing the fabrication of tailor-made structures for biomedical applications. Additionally, we explored the latest developments in the modulation of their physicochemical properties by combining additive materials and manufacturing platforms, outlining the design of multifunctional gelatin-based micro-, nano-, and macrostructures. While discussing the current limitations, we also addressed the challenges that need to be overcome for clinical translation, including high manufacturing costs, limited application scenarios, and potential immunogenicity. This Review provides insight into how the structural and chemical engineering of gelatin can be leveraged to pave the way for significant advancements in biomedical applications and the improvement of patient outcomes.

Amorphous iron-calcium phosphate (Fe-ACP) plays a vital role in the mechanical properties of teeth of some rodents, which are very hard, but its formation process and synthetic route remain unknown. Here, the synthesis and characterization of an iron-bearing amorphous calcium phosphate in the presence of ammonium iron citrate (AIC) are reported. The iron is distributed homogeneously on the nanometer scale in the resulting particles. The prepared Fe-ACP particles can be highly stable in aqueous media, including water, simulated body fluid, and acetate buffer solution (pH 4). In vitro study demonstrates that these particles have good biocompatibility and osteogenic properties. Subsequently, Spark Plasma Sintering (SPS) is utilized to consolidate the initial Fe-ACP powders. The results show that the hardness of the ceramics increases with the increase of iron content, but an excess of iron leads to a rapid decline in hardness. Calcium iron phosphate ceramics with a hardness of 4 GPa can be achieved, which is higher than that of human enamel. Furthermore, the ceramics composed of iron-calcium phosphates show enhanced acid resistance. This study provides a novel route to prepare Fe-ACP, and presents the potential role of Fe-ACP in biomineralization and as starting material to fabricate acid-resistant high-performance bioceramics.

Construction of organic-inorganic composites similar to natural bone in terms of structure and composition has attracted extensive attention. However, the clinical applications of these composites are limited due to the insufficient osteogenic and mechanical properties. In nature, the presence of amorphous iron-calcium phosphate (Fe-ACP) strengthens the mechanical properties of some biominerals, and our previous study has revealed its synthetic route and in vitro osteogenic properties. However, the potential role of Fe-ACP on biomineralization and constructing biomimetic scaffolds for bone regeneration has not been studied. Herein, a biomimetic scaffold with good osteogenic property was fabricated based on the mineralization of Fe-ACP, with the assistance of ice-templated freeze-casting. The in vitro study showed that the mineralized scaffolds possessed favorable biocompatibility and osteogenic property. Moreover, the scaffolds promoted cell chemotaxis and angiogenic property by upregulating the hypoxia inducible factor-1 alpha (HIF-1 alpha). In vivo experiment demonstrated potent early osteogenesis along with angiogenesis and ultimately promoted bone regeneration. Overall, the mineralized scaffold mediated by Fe-ACP precursors provide a unique platform to enhance bone tissue repair.

Amorphous iron-calcium phosphate (Fe-ACP) plays a vital role in the mechanical properties of teeth of some rodents, which are very hard, but its formation process and synthetic route remain unknown. Here, the synthesis and characterization of an iron-bearing amorphous calcium phosphate in the presence of ammonium iron citrate (AIC) are reported. The iron is distributed homogeneously on the nanometer scale in the resulting particles. The prepared Fe-ACP particles can be highly stable in aqueous media, including water, simulated body fluid, and acetate buffer solution (pH 4). In vitro study demonstrates that these particles have good biocompatibility and osteogenic properties. Subsequently, Spark Plasma Sintering (SPS) is utilized to consolidate the initial Fe-ACP powders. The results show that the hardness of the ceramics increases with the increase of iron content, but an excess of iron leads to a rapid decline in hardness. Calcium iron phosphate ceramics with a hardness of 4 GPa can be achieved, which is higher than that of human enamel. Furthermore, the ceramics composed of iron-calcium phosphates show enhanced acid resistance. This study provides a novel route to prepare Fe-ACP, and presents the potential role of Fe-ACP in biomineralization and as starting material to fabricate acid-resistant high-performance bioceramics.

Construction of organic-inorganic composites similar to natural bone in terms of structure and composition has attracted extensive attention. However, the clinical applications of these composites are limited due to the insufficient osteogenic and mechanical properties. In nature, the presence of amorphous iron-calcium phosphate (Fe-ACP) strengthens the mechanical properties of some biominerals, and our previous study has revealed its synthetic route and in vitro osteogenic properties. However, the potential role of Fe-ACP on biomineralization and constructing biomimetic scaffolds for bone regeneration has not been studied. Herein, a biomimetic scaffold with good osteogenic property was fabricated based on the mineralization of Fe-ACP, with the assistance of ice-templated freeze-casting. The in vitro study showed that the mineralized scaffolds possessed favorable biocompatibility and osteogenic property. Moreover, the scaffolds promoted cell chemotaxis and angiogenic property by upregulating the hypoxia inducible factor-1 alpha (HIF-1 alpha). In vivo experiment demonstrated potent early osteogenesis along with angiogenesis and ultimately promoted bone regeneration. Overall, the mineralized scaffold mediated by Fe-ACP precursors provide a unique platform to enhance bone tissue repair.

Amorphous iron-calcium phosphate (Fe-ACP) plays a vital role in the mechanical properties of teeth of some rodents, which are very hard, but its formation process and synthetic route remain unknown. Here, the synthesis and characterization of an iron-bearing amorphous calcium phosphate in the presence of ammonium iron citrate (AIC) are reported. The iron is distributed homogeneously on the nanometer scale in the resulting particles. The prepared Fe-ACP particles can be highly stable in aqueous media, including water, simulated body fluid, and acetate buffer solution (pH 4). In vitro study demonstrates that these particles have good biocompatibility and osteogenic properties. Subsequently, Spark Plasma Sintering (SPS) is utilized to consolidate the initial Fe-ACP powders. The results show that the hardness of the ceramics increases with the increase of iron content, but an excess of iron leads to a rapid decline in hardness. Calcium iron phosphate ceramics with a hardness of 4 GPa can be achieved, which is higher than that of human enamel. Furthermore, the ceramics composed of iron-calcium phosphates show enhanced acid resistance. This study provides a novel route to prepare Fe-ACP, and presents the potential role of Fe-ACP in biomineralization and as starting material to fabricate acid-resistant high-performance bioceramics.

Amorphous iron-calcium phosphate (Fe-ACP) plays a vital role in the mechanical properties of teeth of some rodents, which are very hard, but its formation process and synthetic route remain unknown. Here, the synthesis and characterization of an iron-bearing amorphous calcium phosphate in the presence of ammonium iron citrate (AIC) are reported. The iron is distributed homogeneously on the nanometer scale in the resulting particles. The prepared Fe-ACP particles can be highly stable in aqueous media, including water, simulated body fluid, and acetate buffer solution (pH 4). In vitro study demonstrates that these particles have good biocompatibility and osteogenic properties. Subsequently, Spark Plasma Sintering (SPS) is utilized to consolidate the initial Fe-ACP powders. The results show that the hardness of the ceramics increases with the increase of iron content, but an excess of iron leads to a rapid decline in hardness. Calcium iron phosphate ceramics with a hardness of 4 GPa can be achieved, which is higher than that of human enamel. Furthermore, the ceramics composed of iron-calcium phosphates show enhanced acid resistance. This study provides a novel route to prepare Fe-ACP, and presents the potential role of Fe-ACP in biomineralization and as starting material to fabricate acid-resistant high-performance bioceramics.

Construction of organic-inorganic composites similar to natural bone in terms of structure and composition has attracted extensive attention. However, the clinical applications of these composites are limited due to the insufficient osteogenic and mechanical properties. In nature, the presence of amorphous iron-calcium phosphate (Fe-ACP) strengthens the mechanical properties of some biominerals, and our previous study has revealed its synthetic route and in vitro osteogenic properties. However, the potential role of Fe-ACP on biomineralization and constructing biomimetic scaffolds for bone regeneration has not been studied. Herein, a biomimetic scaffold with good osteogenic property was fabricated based on the mineralization of Fe-ACP, with the assistance of ice-templated freeze-casting. The in vitro study showed that the mineralized scaffolds possessed favorable biocompatibility and osteogenic property. Moreover, the scaffolds promoted cell chemotaxis and angiogenic property by upregulating the hypoxia inducible factor-1 alpha (HIF-1 alpha). In vivo experiment demonstrated potent early osteogenesis along with angiogenesis and ultimately promoted bone regeneration. Overall, the mineralized scaffold mediated by Fe-ACP precursors provide a unique platform to enhance bone tissue repair.

Construction of organic-inorganic composites similar to natural bone in terms of structure and composition has attracted extensive attention. However, the clinical applications of these composites are limited due to the insufficient osteogenic and mechanical properties. In nature, the presence of amorphous iron-calcium phosphate (Fe-ACP) strengthens the mechanical properties of some biominerals, and our previous study has revealed its synthetic route and in vitro osteogenic properties. However, the potential role of Fe-ACP on biomineralization and constructing biomimetic scaffolds for bone regeneration has not been studied. Herein, a biomimetic scaffold with good osteogenic property was fabricated based on the mineralization of Fe-ACP, with the assistance of ice-templated freeze-casting. The in vitro study showed that the mineralized scaffolds possessed favorable biocompatibility and osteogenic property. Moreover, the scaffolds promoted cell chemotaxis and angiogenic property by upregulating the hypoxia inducible factor-1 alpha (HIF-1 alpha). In vivo experiment demonstrated potent early osteogenesis along with angiogenesis and ultimately promoted bone regeneration. Overall, the mineralized scaffold mediated by Fe-ACP precursors provide a unique platform to enhance bone tissue repair.

Amorphous iron-calcium phosphate (Fe-ACP) plays a vital role in the mechanical properties of teeth of some rodents, which are very hard, but its formation process and synthetic route remain unknown. Here, the synthesis and characterization of an iron-bearing amorphous calcium phosphate in the presence of ammonium iron citrate (AIC) are reported. The iron is distributed homogeneously on the nanometer scale in the resulting particles. The prepared Fe-ACP particles can be highly stable in aqueous media, including water, simulated body fluid, and acetate buffer solution (pH 4). In vitro study demonstrates that these particles have good biocompatibility and osteogenic properties. Subsequently, Spark Plasma Sintering (SPS) is utilized to consolidate the initial Fe-ACP powders. The results show that the hardness of the ceramics increases with the increase of iron content, but an excess of iron leads to a rapid decline in hardness. Calcium iron phosphate ceramics with a hardness of 4 GPa can be achieved, which is higher than that of human enamel. Furthermore, the ceramics composed of iron-calcium phosphates show enhanced acid resistance. This study provides a novel route to prepare Fe-ACP, and presents the potential role of Fe-ACP in biomineralization and as starting material to fabricate acid-resistant high-performance bioceramics.

Construction of organic-inorganic composites similar to natural bone in terms of structure and composition has attracted extensive attention. However, the clinical applications of these composites are limited due to the insufficient osteogenic and mechanical properties. In nature, the presence of amorphous iron-calcium phosphate (Fe-ACP) strengthens the mechanical properties of some biominerals, and our previous study has revealed its synthetic route and in vitro osteogenic properties. However, the potential role of Fe-ACP on biomineralization and constructing biomimetic scaffolds for bone regeneration has not been studied. Herein, a biomimetic scaffold with good osteogenic property was fabricated based on the mineralization of Fe-ACP, with the assistance of ice-templated freeze-casting. The in vitro study showed that the mineralized scaffolds possessed favorable biocompatibility and osteogenic property. Moreover, the scaffolds promoted cell chemotaxis and angiogenic property by upregulating the hypoxia inducible factor-1 alpha (HIF-1 alpha). In vivo experiment demonstrated potent early osteogenesis along with angiogenesis and ultimately promoted bone regeneration. Overall, the mineralized scaffold mediated by Fe-ACP precursors provide a unique platform to enhance bone tissue repair.