COVID-19 and Tissue Engineering: What Have We Accomplished in the Past 5 Years?

Area of Science:

• Biomedical Engineering
• Materials Science
• Virology

Background:

• The COVID-19 pandemic underscored the urgent need for advanced strategies against respiratory viral infections.
• Tissue engineering and biomaterials offer novel approaches to combatting viral threats.

Purpose of the Study:

• To review recent advancements in tissue engineering and biomaterials for viral infection research and treatment.
• To highlight the role of these fields in developing in vitro models, drug delivery systems, and vaccine platforms.

Main Methods:

• Review of literature on tissue-engineered models (e.g., organ-on-a-chip) for studying viral entry and immune response.
• Analysis of biomaterial-based drug delivery systems for enhanced therapeutic efficacy and reduced toxicity.
• Evaluation of novel vaccine platforms (lipid nanoparticles, protein scaffolds) against SARS-CoV-2 variants.

Main Results:

• Tissue-engineered models have improved understanding of viral pathophysiology across multiple tissue types.
• Biomaterials have enhanced targeted delivery and bioavailability of antivirals, antibodies, and nucleic-acid-based therapies.
• New vaccine platforms show promise for robust immune responses against emerging viral variants.

Conclusions:

• Tissue engineering and biomaterials are crucial for advancing SARS-CoV-2 research and treatment.
• These fields are vital for improving clinical outcomes, managing variants, and preparing for future pandemics.
• Addressing infrastructure challenges, such as access to high-containment facilities, is key for future research.