Wound closure represents a primary goal in the treatment of very deep and/or large wounds, for which the mortality rate is particularly high. However, the spontaneous healing of adult skin eventually results in the formation of epithelialized scar and scar contracture (i.e. repair), which might distort the tissues and cause lifelong deformities and disabilities. Moreover, wound infection, which further increases the local tissue damage, is a common complication, while systemic inflammatory and immunological responses might lead to a higher predisposition to life-threatening sepsis and multi-organ failure. In such cases, early and appropriate clinical treatments are fundamental to reduce the mortality rates associated to the injury. This clinical evidence suggest that wound closure attained by means of skin regeneration, instead of repair, should be the true goal of burn wound management. The traditional concept of temporary wound dressings, able to stimulate skin healing by repair, is thus being increasingly replaced by the idea of temporary scaffolds, or regenerative templates, able to promote healing by regeneration.

This thematic issue includes original research articles reviews from experts in biomaterials science aiming to provide a concise insight on the key and innovative approach for skin healing and regeneration, particularly highlighting the emerging role of future multifunctional biomaterials as next generation skin substitutes for the treatment of acute or chroni