One of the most intriguing concepts in the field of material science is currently the generation of biofunctional materials able to incorporate instructive signals in order to modulate cellular functions, direct cell fate, and ultimately govern tissue regeneration in vivo. In order to reach this challenging task, smart bioactive materials should be designed to provide an instructive microenvironment mimicking a physiological niche.

We invite investigators to contribute with original research articles as well as comprehensive reviews that stimulate the continuing efforts to understand the complex mechanisms involved in cell-biomaterial interaction, at various spatial and temporal scales.

We particularly welcome articles describing the development of novel strategies to generate bioactive scaffolds with enhanced cellular response; new experimental approaches to develop biomimetic scaffolds and their full characterizations; current concepts in the field of scaffolds’ surface functionalization using bioactive signals and growth factors; modification of surface topographies incorporating micro- and nanoscale structures; new insights into material science using progenitor/stem cells; in vitro/in vivo models to evaluate the scaffold functionality. Potential topics include, but are not limited to:

• Recent developments of functionalized scaffolds for bone/cartilage tissue engineering applications
• Latest technologies for generating smart materials
• Role of chemical bioactivation of scaffolds in tissue regeneration
• Cell-material interaction mechanisms using in vitro and in vivo systems
• Role of micro- and nanoscale topography in scaffolds surface
• Vascularization and engraftment of bioactive scaffolds

Before submission authors should carefully read over the journal's Author Guidelines, which are located at http://www.hindawi.com/journals/tswj/guidelines/. Prospective authors should submit an electronic copy of their complete manuscript through the journal Manuscript Tracking System at http://mts.hindawi.com/author/submit/journals/tswj/molecular.imaging/bscaf/ according to the following timetable: