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Aerogel-Based Biomaterials for Biomedical Applications: From Fabrication Methods to Disease-Targeting Applications (Adv. Sci. 23/2023) B Aerogel-Based Biomaterials b In light of the diverse capabilities of aerogels, article number 2204681 by Solmaz Karamikamkar, Han-Jun Kim, Ali Khademhosseini, and co-workers, presents a thorough examination of the fabrication processes, materials, and additive manufacturing techniques associated with aerogel technology. Additionally, it presents an extensive survey of the diverse biomedical applications that leverage the potential of aerogels, with a particular emphasis on addressing various diseases. [Extracted from the article]

Cells sense and transduce the chemical and mechanical properties of their microenvironment through cell surface integrin receptors. Traction stress exerted by cells on the extracellular matrix mediates focal adhesion stabilization and regulation of the cytoskeleton for directing biological activity. Understanding how stem cells integrate biomaterials properties through focal adhesions during differentiation is important for the design of soft materials for regenerative medicine. In this paper we use micropatterned hydrogels containing fluorescent beads to explore force transmission through integrins from single mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) during differentiation. When cultured on polyacrylamide gels, MSCs will express markers associated with osteogenesis and myogenesis in a stiffness dependent manner. The shape of single cells and the composition of tethered matrix protein both influence the magnitude of traction stress applied and the resultant differentiation outcome. We show how geometry guides the spatial positioning of focal adhesions to maximize interaction with the matrix, and uncover a relationship between αvβ3, α5β1 and mechanochemical regulation of osteogenesis. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Advances in genomic sequencing and bioinformatics have led to the prospect of precision medicine where therapeutics can be advised by the genetic background of individuals. For example, mapping cancer genomics has revealed numerous genes that affect the therapeutic outcome of a drug. Through materials and cell engineering, many opportunities exist for engineers to contribute to precision medicine, such as engineering biosensors for diagnosis and health status monitoring, developing smart formulations for the controlled release of drugs, programming immune cells for targeted cancer therapy, differentiating pluripotent stem cells into desired lineages, fabricating bioscaffolds that support cell growth, or constructing "organs‐on‐chips" that can screen the effects of drugs. Collective engineering efforts will help transform precision medicine into a more personalized and effective healthcare approach. As continuous progress is made in engineering techniques, more tools will be available to fully realize precision medicine's potential. Engineering can contribute to precision medicine by providing individualized health care advices or services that could complement the genomic profiling‐based method. Engineering approaches, including personalized immune cell engineering, personalized stem cell engineering, smart drug delivery systems, personalized tissue scaffold engineering, personalized implants, wearable devices, point of care devices, and organs‐on‐chips, are promising in providing personalized healthcare services or advices. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Each person's response to the therapies is different. In article number 1801039, Ali Khademhosseini and co‐workers discuss engineering approaches for precision medicine. Healthcare could be individualized through personalized cells therapies, controlled drug delivery systems, personalized scaffolds and implants, wearable sensors, point‐of‐care devices, as well as organs‐on‐chip systems. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]