Biomaterials: The Future of Medicine

There’s an area of science critical to some of the most major medicinal advancements ever made. From prosthetics, to real-time sensors and disease diagnostics, to medical implants, this field powers many life-saving technologies for millions around the world. And yet, most people haven’t even heard of it. What is this area of science? Biomaterials!

I’m cooking up something with biomaterials right now (wink), but before I began doing so, biomaterials was a field I had heard of in just passing. To be honest, I can see why. Materials science itself is a niche, widely underappreciated field that powers many technologies today. Within materials science comes biomaterials science, an even more nuanced approach to medicinal therapeutics. I remember I searched up biomaterials last year on Google. The difference between two of the most preliminary and basic terms in the biomaterial domain - biomaterial and a biocompatible material - was confusing enough for me to call it a day. (To be fair, it wasn’t that complex, but the sources of the Internet sure made it seem like it was ).

Although nuanced and a bit complicated, the field of biomaterials science powers some of the most revolutionary medicinal advancements. In this article, I’ll be previewing what these advancements are and how they’ve revolutionized the medicinal industry. 

A biomaterial is a synthetic or natural material suitable for use in constructing artificial organs, prostheses, or tissue within the body to replace the function of bone, tissue, or blood. Biomaterials can have both diagnostic and therapeutic properties, and the field of study (biomaterials engineering) is known to be about fifty years old. Biomaterials science encompasses elements of medicine, biology, chemistry, and materials science.

Okay, so to begin, let me explain the difference between a biomaterial and a biocompatible material. A biomaterial is a more generic term, referring to any material that is non-toxic and could potentially interact with our bodies in a safe way. A material is typically dubbed a “biomaterial” following a successful cytotoxicity test. On the other hand, a biocompatible material is one that is for a specialized application. Predictably, the materials and mechanisms that work for our brain won’t work for other parts of our body, such as our heart or bones. A biocompatible material exists for a specific application, while biomaterials are generally non-toxic.

One of the most critical roles of biomaterials lies in prosthetics and implants. Titanium alloys, for instance, are used in orthopedic implants due to their biocompatibility and strength, allowing millions of individuals to regain mobility. Similarly, polymeric biomaterials are widely used in cardiovascular stents to restore blood flow in patients with artery blockages. These stents, especially when enhanced with carbon coatings, not only maintain biocompatibility but also reduce complications like thrombosis, ensuring long-term success in preventing dangerous cardiovascular diseases.

In regenerative medicine, biomaterials provide scaffolds for tissue engineering. By mimicking the extracellular matrix, these materials support cell growth and tissue regeneration, offering hope for conditions like organ failure or severe burns. For example, biodegradable polymers are used to deliver stem cells to damaged tissues, promoting natural healing without the need for further surgeries.

The importance of biomaterials extends beyond their physical properties. Their development requires interdisciplinary collaboration, combining material science, biology, and engineering to create solutions tailored to the human body. Biomaterials often also have a computational aspect to them to advance the design and customization of biomaterials.

Biomaterials are indispensable in modern medicine; the aforementioned examples are just a preview for what’s to come in this ground-breaking field. As research continues to evolve, biomaterials will undoubtedly remain at the forefront of innovation, improving lives worldwide.