Emerging biomimetic biopolymer-based composites: advancing accessible and sustainable neural disease models and therapeutics

Neurological diseases are leading causes of death globally and disability-adjusted life years (DALYs) globally. Because of this, urgency in providing technologies and essential medicines to tackle this issue is currently recognized as key in reversing this trend. Global health strategies have recognized tissue engineering as a pillar element in progressing both neurological disease research and therapy discovery. Over time, various biomaterials have been developed with a few barriers appearing along the way when considering translation for routine neurological disorders research and therapy. These barriers include accessibility, sustainability, cost-effectiveness and affordability. In this review, we discuss how biopolymers, namely biomimetic advanced biopolymers composites have emerged to answer this issue. We will explore various types of biomimetic nanocellulose-based, self-assembling peptides, glycosaminoglycan composite, advanced functionalized nanoparticles amongst others are used to create a range of innovative state-of -the-art neuronal models that can be employed for neuronal disease investigation and therapy. Finally, we will review the current factors enabling and hindering their translation and scalability (e.g. manufacturing, characterization and commercialization) and provide a Research and Development Roadmap that can be explored to facilitate their development and provision to answer the pressing global need for these technologies in positively impacting neurological disorders.