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Abstract <p>Cellulose, the most abundant biopolymer on Earth, is derived from plants, marine macroalgae, and acetic acid bacteria, each presenting distinct structural architectures and biomedical potential. While plant cellulose remains widely accessible, its clinical translation is hindered by lignin-associated impurities and harsh extraction requirements. In contrast, bacterial cellulose offers a highly pure nanofibrillar network with superior biocompatibility and mechanical robustness, making it more biomaterial scaffold. Algal cellulose provides an intermediate platform with inherent porosity and bioactive moieties but requires tailored enzymatic recovery. This review systematically compares the biosynthesis, isolation, and native physicochemical characteristics of these cellulose sources and advances the discussion toward engineering-driven modifications, including nanocellulose composites, bioactive ligand conjugation, stimuli-responsive functionalization, and 3D-printable bioinks. Emphasis is placed on how these strategies enhance biocompatibility, biodegradability, mechanical strength, porosity, and cellular signaling interactions across application domains such as bone and cartilage repair, wound healing, and drug delivery. Emerging smart cellulose systems capable of growth factor sequestration, immunomodulation, and on-demand therapeutic release are highlighted as next-generation platforms. Finally, the review outlines translational challenges related to scalability, manufacturing reproducibility, regulatory classification, and cost-performance balance, emphasizing the need for GMP-aligned bioprocesses and precision-engineered cellulose architectures to accelerate clinical adoption in regenerative medicine.</p> Lay summary <p>Cellulose, a common biopolymer, varies by source including plants, bacteria, or algae having unique properties individually for medical use. Bacterial cellulose stands out for its purity, strength, and versatility in applications like wound healing and drug delivery, enhanced by new fermentation and engineering techniques.</p>

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Engineering Cellulose for Regenerative Medicine: Bacterial Cellulose and Beyond

  • 期刊论文

  • 发表日期：

    2025年12月2日

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  • Lovekesh Nagpal,
  • Saahil Arora

摘要

Abstract

Cellulose, the most abundant biopolymer on Earth, is derived from plants, marine macroalgae, and acetic acid bacteria, each presenting distinct structural architectures and biomedical potential. While plant cellulose remains widely accessible, its clinical translation is hindered by lignin-associated impurities and harsh extraction requirements. In contrast, bacterial cellulose offers a highly pure nanofibrillar network with superior biocompatibility and mechanical robustness, making it more biomaterial scaffold. Algal cellulose provides an intermediate platform with inherent porosity and bioactive moieties but requires tailored enzymatic recovery. This review systematically compares the biosynthesis, isolation, and native physicochemical characteristics of these cellulose sources and advances the discussion toward engineering-driven modifications, including nanocellulose composites, bioactive ligand conjugation, stimuli-responsive functionalization, and 3D-printable bioinks. Emphasis is placed on how these strategies enhance biocompatibility, biodegradability, mechanical strength, porosity, and cellular signaling interactions across application domains such as bone and cartilage repair, wound healing, and drug delivery. Emerging smart cellulose systems capable of growth factor sequestration, immunomodulation, and on-demand therapeutic release are highlighted as next-generation platforms. Finally, the review outlines translational challenges related to scalability, manufacturing reproducibility, regulatory classification, and cost-performance balance, emphasizing the need for GMP-aligned bioprocesses and precision-engineered cellulose architectures to accelerate clinical adoption in regenerative medicine.

Lay summary

Cellulose, a common biopolymer, varies by source including plants, bacteria, or algae having unique properties individually for medical use. Bacterial cellulose stands out for its purity, strength, and versatility in applications like wound healing and drug delivery, enhanced by new fermentation and engineering techniques.