Computational Advances in Biomaterial Engineering: Mapping Research Trajectories Through Bibliometric Analysis

Abstract

Alternatives to animal models, including computational-based approaches, are now prioritized by regulatory and funding agencies in biomedical research. Despite this shift in policy, computer models in tissue engineering and regenerative medicine remain underutilized and have not been fully integrated into research and development pipelines. This study aims to identify current and emerging computational techniques in regenerative biomaterials through comprehensive bibliometric analysis and to examine future directions in the evolving field of tissue engineering. Using the Web of Science database, a total of 678 studies with a primarily computational component between January 1, 2014, and March 31, 2025, were included in the analysis. Studies were grouped by computational method (e.g., computational fluid dynamics [CFD], molecular dynamics [MD], agent-based modeling) and by tissue type (e.g., bone, cartilage). Our analysis found that CFD/finite element modeling (FEM) was the most common computational method used for biomaterial research. Based on co-citation and co-keyword network analyses, CFD/FEM was primarily applied to study and optimize material properties like viscoelasticity, porosity, and microstructure. Parameter estimation and sensitivity analysis were a key application across all computational methods. Timeline and thematic analyses identified that modeling of stem cell biomaterials is an emerging topic, including research to emulate cell behavior, scaffold mechanics, and their complex interactions. Hybrid models, especially combining CFD/FEM with MD, are likely to become more prevalent to integrate multimodel data. Since 2023, data-driven models including machine learning and artificial intelligence have emerged as surrogate models for complex mechanistic simulations. However, concerns about data scarcity and the interpretability of these models must still be addressed to meet regulatory standards. Integrating data-driven and mechanistic models creates a synergistic solution that overcomes the limitations of either method alone. Informed by insights from this bibliometric review, researchers can confidently apply computational techniques for innovative biomaterial solutions in tissue engineering and regenerative medicine.

Impact Statement

Computational modeling is at the forefront of design and development in tissue engineering and regenerative medicine. This review uses bibliometric analysis to synthesize the research landscape of computational modeling for regenerative biomaterials over the last decade. We identified established and emerging computational techniques, such as computational fluid dynamics and mathematical models, for the optimization of scaffolds, cell dynamics, and manufacturing methods. Owing to the growing complexity of biomaterial engineering, partly driven by high-throughput data, future computational pipelines will likely rely on hybrid models that integrate mechanistic modeling with machine learning and artificial intelligence.