Artificial Cells, Nanomedicine, and Biotechnology

Stem Cells and 3D Cellular Models: Building blocks in future regenerative medicine

Regenerative medicine leverages research protocols and findings that introduce innovative culture methods, including the expansion of stem cells (SCs) and the use of biomaterials. The ultimate goal is to deliver cells or their secreted factors to promote tissue repair, regeneration, and immunomodulation. In particular, extracellular vesicles (EVs) are emerging as key components of the SC secretome, potentially responsible for much of the therapeutic efficacy observed in SC  therapies. In parallel, integrating SCs into 3D cellular models is critical for the development of tissue engineering strategies, as well as for studying disease pathogenesis and testing drugs in more physiologically relevant, in vivo-like environments.

SCs and tissue engineering—especially when combined with 3D in vitro models, nanotechnology, and novel applications of regenerative medicine—are transforming the objectives of biomedical research. There is growing interest in these areas due to the urgent need for clinical translation. The use of EVs derived from SCs holds promise for the future of cellular therapy and cell-free transplantation approaches. A thorough characterization of the biomaterials used to reconstruct the SC niche, culture SCs or to deliver bioactive factors in a physiological manner is essential to ensure safety and therapeutic efficacy. Moreover, efforts to generate advanced 3D in vitro cellular models for preclinical studies are increasingly important.

This Article Collection aims to gather cutting-edge knowledge from both basic and applied research.

Topics will include:

• Investigation of exosomes/extracellular vesicles derived from stem cells
• Characterization of biotherapeutics, including secreted factors or products derived from stem cell cultures
• Development of novel 3D in vitro cellular models, both scaffold-free (e.g., spheroids and organoids) and scaffold-based
• Proof-of-concept studies and drug/compound validation in 3D cell culture systems
• Human physiology and pathology-mimicking 3D models, such as organ-on-a-chip and bioprinted systems

Please submit your manuscript on our website, using the discount code IANB-2026-C37296 for 10% off the advertised article processing charge.

Please contact Haoyang Yi (Commissioning Editor) at haoyang.yi@taylorandfrancis.com with any queries regarding this Article Collection.

Guest Advisor

Dr. Pasquale Marrazzo

pasquale.marrazzo@uniurb.it

Dr. Marrazzo currently holds a Tenure Track Position at University of Urbino. He is a Senior Researcher in Histology and was formerly a Junior Researcher and Postdoc at University of Bologna. His expertise lies in the development of protocols related to the mimicking of tissue in vivo conditions, based on the generation of scaffold-free and scaffold-based 3D cellular models. His main research line focuses on immunomodulation strategies by utilizing perinatal cells. Collateral projects are focused on the validation and screening of drugs and nutraceuticals, by using spheroids made with primary cells and employing label-free techniques to monitor cell behavior.