As we enter the promising year of 2025, we are excited to unveil a new chapter in the journey of BIO Integration (BIOI), highlighted by a fresh cover design ( Figure 1 ). Significant achievements have marked the past year. Specifically, the Cite Score has reached 5.4 and BIOI ranked 86th in the field of general medicine. This accomplishment is a testament to the continuous progress and growing recognition of BIOI within the academic community.
The BIO Integration cover (2025) features a DNA double helix surrounded by nanostructures and set against a backdrop of mountainous terrain. The iconic spiral is surrounded by several spherical nanoparticles. This imagery symbolizes the focus of BIOI on integrating advanced biomaterials and biotechnologies, reflecting the convergence of natural biological elements with engineered solutions to address complex medical challenges. This visual metaphor highlights the commitment of BIOI to foster interdisciplinary research and innovation in the biomedical field.
Last year was marked by significant milestones and groundbreaking research. The Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine was awarded for pioneering work on microRNAs (miRNAs), underscoring the immense potential of these small molecules in understanding and treating diseases [1]. However, the instability of miRNAs outside of cells continues to pose a challenge.
Combining biomaterials and bioengineering may prove beneficial in supporting clinical application. Additionally, bioinformatics or AI can facilitate the identification of specific miRNA functions and targets under pathologic conditions and elucidate the underlying biological mechanisms. This serves as a notable example of the niche occupied by BIOI.
In this context, Fu et al. [2] published a high-quality original article in BIOI last year regarding CIRCHAS2 activation of HSA-MIR508-3P in glioma cells, which regulates RPL23 and subsequently impacts MMP9 expression. This work was particularly creative and represents the high-quality submissions that BIOI continues to attract and which contributes to advances in the field of biomedicine.
As we move forward we would like to take a moment to acknowledge the invaluable contributions of our outgoing Editorial Board members. Their dedication and hard work have been instrumental in shaping BIOI into what it is today. At the same time, we warmly welcome our new Editorial Board members, who bring fresh perspectives and renewed energy to our team. Together, we are ready to build on the strong foundation laid by our predecessors who work collectively to elevate BIOI to new heights. To maintain engagement and excellence, we will implement a transparent rotation mechanism with term renewals tied to innovative contributions. This process will ensure an open channel for continuous feedback. These initiatives aim to foster sustained enthusiasm among members, while ensuring that our editorial rigor aligns with the evolving vision of BIOI as an interdisciplinary platform.
In 2025 our thematic focus will centre on the integration of biomaterials with clinical therapy, reflecting the latest trends and ongoing advances in the biomedical field. We are excited to announce that BIOI will explore a wide range of topics that not only highlight recent progress in biomedicine but also demonstrate our commitment to fostering interdisciplinary research and applications. Key areas of focus will include AI in biomedicine [3], organoids [4], and bioactive materials [5] ( Table 1 ). These topics represent the cutting edge of biomedical research and exemplify the interdisciplinary nature of BIOI. The topics align with the continuous evolution in the biomedical field, where innovation and collaboration are essential drivers of progress. Building on this foundation, we will actively seek submissions in these dynamic areas throughout the new year and organize special issues to curate outstanding manuscripts that challenge the boundaries of current scientific knowledge.
Overview of Advanced Biomaterials and their Diverse Applications in Biomedicine Integration, Highlighting Key Focus Areas and Sub-topics
| Category | Sub-topics | Key Focus |
|---|---|---|
| Absorptive Materials | Enhancing Efficacy and Safety | Medical Devices and Therapies |
| Biomaterials & Tissue Regeneration | Macrophages and Neutrophils | Microenvironment Regulation, Immune Cell Modulation |
| Organoids and Biomaterial Development | Disease Modeling and Drug Screening | Personalized Medicine |
| 3D and 4D Printing | Techniques and Biomaterials | Biofabrication and Biocompatible Materials |
| Gene Programming Delivery | mRNA, miRNA, and siRNA | Nanomaterials and Therapeutic Delivery |
| Graphene-derived Biomaterials | Unique Properties | Biomedical Applications |
| Biological Vesicles | Exosomes and Liposomes | Intercellular Communication and Therapeutic Carriers |
| Biological Nanozymes | Development and Characterization | Therapy and Enzyme-like Activities |
| Metal Nanomaterials | Properties and Applications | Medicine and Nanoparticles |
| Hydrogel Materials | Tissue Repair | Tissue Engineering and Regeneration |
| Liquid Metal Biomaterials | Unique Properties | Biomedical Applications |
| Stem Cells and Biomaterials | Synergistic Effects | Tissue Regeneration and Therapy |
| Porous Biomaterials | Drug Delivery and Tissue Engineering | Biomedical Applications |
| Smart Release Materials | Controlled Release | Therapeutic Agents and Targeting |
| Microfluidics and Nanomaterials | Synthesis and Manipulation | Nanomaterials and Microfluidics Advancements |
| AI-assisted Material Design | Optimization | Specific Applications and Biomaterials |
| Material Regulation of Biological Rhythms | Influence on Rhythms | Therapeutic Potential |
| Quantum Dot-derived Biomaterials | Unique Properties | Biomedical Applications |
| Targeted Nanomaterials | Selective Targeting | Therapeutic Purposes and Cells/Tissues |
| Microneedle Biomaterials | Drug Delivery | Biomedical Applications |
| Antimicrobial Materials | Combating Infections | Patient Outcomes |
| Anti-tumor Materials | Delivery, Targeting, and Immune Sensitization | Cancer Therapy, Drug Delivery, and Immune Response |
| Tissue Regeneration Materials | Advanced Materials | Bone and Skin Tissue Regeneration |
| Acellular Scaffold Materials | Tissue Engineering | Regeneration and Acellular Scaffolds |
| Electrochemical Materials | Properties and Applications | Biomedicine |
| Biomaterial Regulation of Mechanotransduction Pathways | Cellular Mechanotransduction | Therapeutic Potential |
| Multi-omics Exploration of Biomaterials | Integrating Approaches | Therapeutic Mechanisms and Biomaterials |
Our goals for BIOI in 2025 are ambitious yet attainable. We aspire to establish BIOI as one of the top three journals in biomaterials and related fields. By the end of the year we aim to secure indexation in high-impact databases, such as Web of Science (WOS), Engineering Index (EI), and PubMed Central (PMC). To achieve these objectives, we will ensure the following: continue to invite high-quality submissions; organize special issues and thematic explorations; enhance international collaboration; promote publications and increase the citation frequency through strategic advocacy at international academic platforms; produce video introductions for featured articles; and engage with high-visibility WeChat public accounts for wider dissemination.
In our pursuit of excellence we will implement a rigorous quality control process for article selection, aiming for a rejection rate of approximately 80%. This threshold ensures that only the most outstanding research is published in BIOI. To enhance our commitment to timely and impactful research, we will establish a 72-h rapid pre-review channel for authors. We are dedicated to improving article quality through thorough post-production processing, ensuring that each publication meets and exceeds top-tier scientific journal standards. Additionally, we will invite world-renowned scholars to provide expert commentary on current hot-topic research, fostering a deeper understanding and discussion within the global scientific community. These efforts will showcase contributor innovations, bridge the gap between research and clinical applications, and solidify the position of BIOI at the forefront of biomedical advancements.
We invite all researchers, clinicians, and industry professionals to join us on this exciting journey. Your contributions are the lifeblood of BIOI and we rely on your expertise and innovation to continue advancing bioscience and biomedical research. We encourage you to submit your latest research, review our articles, and engage with us at conferences and online platforms. Together, we can create a future where biomaterials and clinical therapies are seamlessly integrated, leading to better health outcomes for people worldwide.
We would like to express our heartfelt gratitude to all our authors, reviewers, editors, and readers for their unwavering support and dedication. It is your commitment that drives our continuous improvement and success. We also extend our thanks to our outgoing Editorial Board members for their invaluable contributions and welcome our new members with open arms.
Here’s to a fruitful and transformative 2025 at BIOI! Let us work together to explore the unknown, create possibilities, and make a lasting impact on biomedicine.