The Goldilocks Principle in Biomaterials and Biointerfaces

In biological processes, analogous to the Goldilocks fairytale, there often exist “just right” conditions that are crucial for proper functioning. The Goldilocks Principle emphasizes the importance of identifying optimal conditions in biological systems, where parameters must be carefully balanced—neither exceeding nor falling short of the ideal range. Biointerphases is soliciting articles, reviews, and tutorials for publication in a Special Topic Collection focusing on the Goldilocks principle. The Collection will include examples of this principle applied to optimize the physical, chemical, and biological properties of biomaterials and interfaces for various applications. For example: Excessively reactive surfaces may cause protein denaturation, uncontrolled cell adhesion, or unwanted immune responses (too much reactivity). On the other hand, inert surfaces may fail to support necessary cellular interactions, protein adsorption, or signaling pathways (too little reactivity). When surfaces are engineered with precise chemical groups or coatings to balance biocompatibility and bioactivity (e.g., PEGylation for controlled protein adsorption), proper cell adhesion and function can be ensured (just right).

Topics covered include, but are not limited to:

Guest Editors

Yaroslava Yingling, North Carolina State University, USA

Caitlin Howell, University of Maine, USA