For early biomaterials, they were required to have a combination of physicochemical properties, suitable to replace human body tissues and to be biologically inert. Since then a long way has been brought to the third generation biomaterials, whose role is to be both resorbable and bioactive, i.e., to be able to elicit a controlled action in physiological conditions. Recently, the advances in cellular proteomics and genomics paved the way to the fourth generation of biomaterials, i.e., biomimetic and smart materials, and to their application in regenerative nanomedicine.

There is a wide range of materials used for orthopedics and dentistry, from metals, alloys, ceramics, and polymers to bioactive glass systems and hybrid composites. Among them, calcium phosphates based and bioactive glass materials have attracted a significant attention and are widely used in bone tissue engineering. In particular, calcium phosphates are more traditional for bone graft substitution, since their composition is close to the mineral part of the bone tissue. However, their performances could still be improved. Concerning bioactive glasses, the focus point is their ability to continuously exchange ions with physiological liquids, releasing appropriate trace elements in order to stimulate specific cellular response, aimed to activate genes responsible for osteogenesis and bone tissue regeneration.

This issue is focused on the new frontiers in research studies dedicated to bioactive materials in the form of scaffolds, coatings, cements, etc. for biomedical applications and related clinical investigations. Based on the requirements of the modern biomedical technology, the novel research strategies in biomaterials field are nowadays directed towards biomaterials endowed with piezoelectricity, radioopacity, mechanical resistance, proper porosity, and characteristics suitable for drug delivery and for the controlled release of active principles. Apart from microstructure and composition characteristics, a special stress should be given to the host tissue/material interface. Both experimental and theoretical papers are welcome.

Potential topics include, but are not limited to:

• Synthesis and characterisation of bioactive material systems, including powders, granules, scaffolds, films, injectable cements, foams, gels, etc.
• Theoretical simulations and modelling of bioactive materials
• Fabrication and processing
• Material-protein adsorption and material-cell interactions
• Clinical applications