Tracing the evolution of biomaterials: insights and challenges in regenerative medicine

Functional tissue regeneration still remains a challenge in some tissues, while lack of comprehensive understanding about regenerative biology as well as roles biomaterials play significantly hinder its advances. In this article, important terms and research strategies on biomaterials are reviewed, while challenges faced, key progress, and breakthroughs that could potentially facilitate tissue regeneration are discussed, with an aim to optimize research strategies on biomaterials and shed light on their future.