Marine collagen for regenerative medicine: Structure-function advantages, limitations, and translational pathways.

Abstract

Marine collagen is emerging as a transformative natural-derived material in regenerative medicine. Unlike traditional mammalian collagen, it has unique structural properties (e.g., a distinct amino acid profile) that confer high biocompatibility and low immunogenicity, along with excellent antibacterial activity and a sustainable supply chain that eliminates zoonotic disease risks. This review establishes the foundational rationale for this shift by conducting a comprehensive analysis of the structure-function relationships underpinning the regenerative superiority of marine collagen. We critically evaluate how advanced manufacturing technologies (e.g., 3D bioprinting, electrospinning) leverage these intrinsic properties to deliver transformative therapeutic outcomes, exemplified by biomechanically optimized cartilage scaffolds and immunomodulatory wound matrices. Our review also delineates actionable pathways for clinical translation, addressing challenges in scalability, regulatory compliance, and long-term stability. This review uniquely integrates structure-function relationships with green industrialization pathways, offering an actionable framework for clinical translation of marine collagen, which repositions marine collagen from a mere alternative to an indispensable platform material, poised to drive the next generation of regenerative therapies.