Computational Biomaterials: Computational Simulations for Biomedicine

With the flourishing development of material simulation methods (quantum chemistry methods, molecular dynamics, Monte Carlo, phase field, etc.), extensive adoption of computing technologies (high-throughput, artificial intelligence, machine learning, etc.), and the invention of high-performance computing equipment, computational simulation tools have sparked the fundamental mechanism-level explorations to predict the diverse physicochemical properties and biological effects of biomaterials and investigate their enormous application potential for disease prevention, diagnostics, and therapeutics. Herein, the term computational biomaterials is proposed and the computational methods currently used to explore the inherent properties of biomaterials, such as optical, magnetic, electronic, and acoustic properties, and the elucidation of corresponding biological behaviors/effects in the biomedical field are summarized/discussed. The theoretical calculation of the physiochemical properties/biological performance of biomaterials applied in disease diagnosis, drug delivery, disease therapeutics, and specific paradigms such as biomimetic biomaterials is discussed. Additionally, the biosafety evaluation applications of theoretical simulations of biomaterials are presented. Finally, the challenges and future prospects of such computational simulations for biomaterials development are clarified. It is anticipated that these simulations would offer various methodologies for facilitating the development and future clinical translations/utilization of versatile biomaterials.

Automated summary

With the development of material simulation methods, computing technologies, and high-performance computing equipment, computational simulation tools have been widely used to predict the physicochemical properties and biological effects of biomaterials. This article introduces the concept of computational biomaterials and summarizes the computational methods used in the biomedical field. It discusses the theoretical calculation of the properties and biological performance of biomaterials in disease diagnosis, drug delivery, and biomimetic biomaterials, and presents the biosafety evaluation applications of theoretical simulations. The challenges and future prospects of computational simulations for biomaterials development are also clarified.