About

Martin King is an international specialist in biotextiles, implantable devices, biomaterials, and medical textiles. He joined the Department of Textiles and Apparel, Technology and Management at NC State in September 2000, bringing over 30 years of experience from industry, education, and government sectors in Canada and Europe. A graduate in Polymer Technology from Manchester University, UK, he initially worked as a product development engineer at Canadian Industries Limited and Celanese Canada Limited, focusing on nylon and polyester fibers, yarns, and innovations such as the first continuous polymerisation plant for short staple polyester fiber and the development of polyester tire cord. He also contributed to carbon fiber development at the Royal Aircraft Establishment in the UK, identifying alternative precursor polymers and wet spinning techniques for acrylic/novoloid fibers used in composites. Over the past 25 years, his research has centered on biomaterials and biotextiles, a term he coined, involving the study of fibrous structures designed for biological environments. During his 28-year tenure at the University of Manitoba, he worked extensively on implantable devices, publishing widely and securing support from national agencies, medical foundations, and industry. His teaching includes courses in textile science, biomaterials, and research methods, and he has advised students from diverse disciplines. His research focuses on understanding failure mechanisms of retrieved clinical explants, computer modeling of implantable devices, developing novel designs and coatings for surgical implants, and evaluating biostability and biocompatibility through in vitro and in vivo methods. He has worked on a variety of surgical products, including sutures, vascular prostheses, heart valves, meshes, and artificial organs. His multidisciplinary approach is enhanced by adjunct appointments at Laval University and collaborations with clinical environments, fostering integration between physical and biological sciences. He is actively involved in research on textile fibers such as linen and hemp, and on sensory properties of textiles, including odor measurement technologies.

Research topics

• Computer Science
• Biomedical engineering
• Materials science
• Medicine
• Chemistry
• Nanotechnology
• Composite material
• Anatomy
• Engineering
• Cell biology
• Organic chemistry
• Biology
• History

Selected publications

• Advances in Multifunctional Hernia Repair Mesh to Minimize Post-Surgical Complications

  UNC Libraries · 2026-05-05

  articleOpen access

  As one of the most frequently performed surgeries worldwide, hernia repair addresses a pathological condition caused by muscle weakness and defects in the muscle wall. Despite its prevalence, hernia surgery remains challenging due to complications such as organ occlusion, seroma, persistent pain, tissue adhesions, and wound infection. Surgical meshes have become the preferred choice for abdominal wall hernia repair, aiming to restore the physical integrity and functionality of the musculofascial layers. Although various types of hernia mesh are available on the market to mitigate post-reconstruction complications, none have proven to be a perfect solution for reducing hernia recurrence. In this review, we explore the etiology of hernias, the materials and structures used in designing hernia meshes, and the emerging multifunctional trends aimed at addressing not just one aspect of the complications but the overall range of complications following hernia repair. We discuss strategies to mitigate side effects and establish the characteristics of ideal hernia repair meshes. Lastly, this review outlines future research directions for developing successful hernia repair solutions, emphasizing the need for innovative approaches to enhance patient outcomes and minimize recurrence rates.

  PublisherDOI

• Advances in Multifunctional Hernia Repair Mesh to Minimize Post-Surgical Complications

  International Journal of Medical Devices · 2026-04-28

  articleOpen accessSenior authorCorresponding

  As one of the most frequently performed surgeries worldwide, hernia repair addresses a pathological condition caused by muscle weakness and defects in the muscle wall. Despite its prevalence, hernia surgery remains challenging due to complications such as organ occlusion, seroma, persistent pain, tissue adhesions, and wound infection. Surgical meshes have become the preferred choice for abdominal wall hernia repair, aiming to restore the physical integrity and functionality of the musculofascial layers. Although various types of hernia mesh are available on the market to mitigate post-reconstruction complications, none have proven to be a perfect solution for reducing hernia recurrence. In this review, we explore the etiology of hernias, the materials and structures used in designing hernia meshes, and the emerging multifunctional trends aimed at addressing not just one aspect of the complications but the overall range of complications following hernia repair. We discuss strategies to mitigate side effects and establish the characteristics of ideal hernia repair meshes. Lastly, this review outlines future research directions for developing successful hernia repair solutions, emphasizing the need for innovative approaches to enhance patient outcomes and minimize recurrence rates.

  PublisherOA PDFDOI

• Editorial: The role of AI in GU oncology

  Frontiers in Oncology · 2025-03-24

  editorialOpen access

  computational power, leading to clinically useful platforms over the past two decades. This research topic examined the role of AI in GU oncology, focusing on complex medical data analysis, imaging and pathological data interpretation, and data monitoring for pattern recognition.Bang et al. reviewed the application of machine learning (ML) in predicting survival outcomes in prostate cancer (PCa). The study highlighted the role of ML in forecasting biochemical recurrence-free, progression to castration-resistance-free, metastasis-free, and overall survivals using pathological, radiological, and electronic medical record data. These advancements demonstrate that ML-driven prediction models can match or surpass traditional statistical methods. Abbas et al. explored ML's ability to improve non-muscle-invasive bladder cancer (NMIBC) recurrence prediction by integrating radiomics, clinical, and genomic data across various ML models, including neural networks, deep learning (DL), and random forest. Their findings suggest that multi-modal ML models outperform conventional methods, though challenges such as limited generalizability, small datasets, and model opacity hinder clinical adoption. The study provides strategies to optimize ML models, improve data integration, and enhance real-world applicability in NMIBC care. Du et al. assessed machine learning (ML) models for predicting prostate-specific antigen (PSA) persistence after radical prostatectomy. Among seven ML algorithms tested on 470 patients, random forest performed best, with an AUC of 0.861 in the training set and 0.801 in the test set. The most important predictors were capsular invasion, positive surgical margin, preoperative PSA, and biopsy Gleason score. This study underscores the potential of random forest in improving PSA persistence prediction and aiding timely treatment planning. Kim et al. examined computational methods for spatially mapped omics data analysis using digitized histopathology slides. Their review covered image processing techniques, ML integration with spatially resolved omics data, and the challenges of incorporating ML into clinical decision-making. Ma et al. analyzed the role of AI in bladder cancer (BC) diagnosis, treatment, and prognosis. The study highlighted ML, DL, and artificial neural networks as transformative tools that enhance early detection, diagnostic accuracy, and personalized treatment while predicting disease progression. At the same time, they bring up challenges, including data acquisition, standardization, and ethical concerns. Halawani et al. evaluated the accuracy and readability of AI-generated patient education materials (PEMs) on kidney cancer using ChatGPT-4.0, Gemini AI, and Perplexity AI, comparing them to PEMs from the American Urological Association and the European Association of Urology. While AI models seem to generate and simplify PEMs, the authors conclude that their inconsistencies and potential inaccuracies make them best suited as supplementary tools rather than primary educational resources. Zhu et al. reviewed ML and DL applications in urological tumors, assessing the role of AI in clinical decision-making and urological surgery. The study suggests that AI is poised to play an increasingly significant role in diagnosis, treatment planning, and rehabilitation monitoring. Despite current limitations, AI holds promise for improving personalized care, patient survival rates, and quality of life in GU oncology. Drożdż et al. applied ML to classify hematuria patients and identify key biomarkers. Among the models tested, the Comprehensive Abstraction and Classification Tool for Uncovering Structures (CACTUS) algorithm outperformed decision trees and random forests, achieving 80% accuracy for males. The most relevant biomarkers were microalbumin, total PSA, and gender, with additional markers varying by sex. This study highlights CACTUS as a reliable tool for unbalanced datasets and suggests these biomarkers could improve personalized hematuria diagnosis.Overall, challenges seem to remain in the utilization of AI in improving patient care. For a more precise MLbased algorithm, key strategies should be employed, including 1) enhancing the quality of data preparation, 2) selecting an optimal algorithm aligned with the study objective, 3) optimizing hyperparameters, 4) refining model architecture, 5) addressing overfitting and underfitting issues, and 6) improving computational power. When integrating ML models into real-world clinical practice, it is critical to address biases and inequalities, particularly those arising from algorithms trained on heterogeneous and ethnically diverse PCa populations. External validation across diverse populations and medical centers can improve the reliability and generalizability of these models, facilitating their inclusion in clinical guidelines and routine practice.We sincerely thank all contributing authors, reviewers, and researchers for their dedication to advancing AI in oncology. Special thanks to Professors Kazumi Taguchi and Martin King for their contributions as co-editors.Their expertise has been instrumental in shaping this research topic, and we look forward to seeing these findings inspire future advancements in AI-driven GU oncology.

  PublisherOA PDFDOI

• Ultrashort Pulse Laser Fabrication and Evaluation of Innovative Resorbable Barbed Sutures

  Polymers · 2025-02-19 · 2 citations

  articleOpen accessSenior authorCorresponding

  Laser micro-machining is a rapidly growing technique to create, manufacture and fabricate microstructures on different materials ranging from metals and ceramics to polymers. Micro- and nano-machining on different materials has been helpful and useful for various biomedical applications. This study focuses on the micro-machining of innovative barbed sutures using an ultrashort pulse laser, specifically a femtosecond (fs) laser system. Two bioresorbable polymeric materials, namely, catgut and poly (4-hydroxybutyrate) (P4HB), were studied and micro-machined using the femtosecond (fs) laser system. The optimized laser parameter was used to fabricate two different barb geometries, namely, straight and curved barbs. The mechanical properties were evaluated via tensile testing, and the anchoring performance was studied by means of a suture-tissue pull-out protocol using porcine dermis tissue which was harvested from the medial dorsal site. Along with the evaluation of the mechanical and anchoring properties, the thermal characteristics and degradation profiles were assessed and compared against mechanically cut barbed sutures using a flat blade. The mechanical properties of laser-fabricated barbed sutures were significantly improved when compared to the mechanical properties of the traditionally/mechanically cut barbed sutures, while there was not any significant difference in the anchoring properties of the barbed sutures fabricated through either of the fabrication techniques. Based on the differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) results for thermal transitions, there was no major impact on the inherent material properties due to the laser treatment. This was also observed in the degradation results, where both the mechanically cut and laser-fabricated barbed sutures exhibited similar profiles throughout the evaluation time period. It was concluded that switching the fabrication technique from mechanical cutting to laser fabrication would be beneficial in producing a more reproducible and consistent barb geometry with more precision and accuracy.

  PublisherOA PDFDOI

• Local microneedle delivery of calcium channel blockers for preventing abdominal adhesions

  Cell Biomaterials · 2025-11-05

  article
  PublisherDOI

• Femtosecond laser micromachining of barbed sutures

  Manufacturing Letters · 2025-08-01

  articleOpen access

  This study explores the fabrication of barbed sutures of biodegradable polymers, such as P4HB and Cagut, using a femtosecond laser. Barbed sutures are in high demand for minimally invasive procedures, with the benefits of reducing the need for knots, enhancing wound closure stability and minimizing tissue trauma. Traditional approaches, such as mechanical cutting and longer-pulses lasers, result in imprecise cutting and extended thermal damage. In contrast, ultrashort pulse durations of femtosecond lasers enable high-precision cutting with the added benefits of minimal heat-affected zones. This research investigates the effects of key laser parameters, such as laser fluence, repetition rate, overlapping ratio and number of scans, on barb quality and identifies the optimal conditions for consistent, high-quality barbs with sharp tips and minimal thermal damage. Moreover, the threshold fluence values established here, for P4HB and Catgut, serve as a reference for future study. Results demonstrate that femtosecond laser technology can be a promising alternative to traditional barb fabrication techniques.

  PublisherDOI

• Fabrication of PCL Blended Highly Aligned Nanofiber Yarn from Dual-Nozzle Electrospinning System and Evaluation of the Influence on Introducing Collagen and Tropoelastin

  ACS Biomaterials Science & Engineering · 2025-10-15

  articleOpen accessSenior authorCorresponding

  Conventional electrospinning is a widely used method for creating nanofibrous structures that show promise in skin wound healing. However, the membranes generated through conventional electrospinning techniques lack reproducibility, scalability, and sufficient mechanical strength, ultimately limiting their potential for clinical applications. In this study, we present a new approach for fabricating biomimetic yarn using a dual-nozzle electrospinning system that collects nanofiber yarn from a rotating funnel. Polycaprolactone (PCL) was combined with collagen-I and tropoelastin in the electrospinning solution to provide relevant biochemical cues necessary for human dermal fibroblast (HDF) cells while maintaining structural integrity. The novel yarns exhibited a hierarchical structure akin to collagen fibers forming the dermal layer of the skin. Furthermore, these yarns demonstrated superior mechanical strength compared to conventional electrospun nanofiber webs. Live/dead fluorescence staining and alamarBlue assays revealed that yarns incorporating both collagen-I and tropoelastin supported significantly higher HDF attachment (18.55% at 24 h) and sustained proliferation, increasing 2.93-fold from Day 1 to Day 7, compared to the PCL-only control yarns (9.34% at 24 h; 2.68-fold increase). Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) observations confirmed that cells on protein-containing yarns formed a continuous, smooth cell layer with elongated, spindle-shaped morphology which was aligned along the yarn axis. This highlights the critical role of yarn architecture in guiding cell orientation and organization. The combined biochemical cues from collagen-I and tropoelastin, together with the aligned, twisted yarn architecture, produced scaffolds that not only enhanced cell adhesion and proliferation but also promoted native-like cell alignment and confluence. This synergistic integration of biochemical signaling and structural guidance underscores the potential of these electrospun yarns as advanced dermal scaffolds, offering both mechanical robustness and functional bioactivity for future wound healing and regenerative medicine applications.

  PublisherDOI

• Advances in Targeted Delivery of Doxorubicin for Cancer Chemotherapy

  Bioengineering · 2025-04-19 · 17 citations

  reviewOpen accessSenior authorCorresponding

  Doxorubicin (DOX) is one of the most powerful chemotherapy drugs used to treat different kinds of cancer. However, its usage has been limited by typical side effects and drug resistance, particularly cardiotoxicity. According to studies, a more effective and promising method is to conjugate it or entrap it in biocompatible nanoparticles. Compared to free DOX and traditional formulations, nanoparticles using specific processes or techniques can improve drug stability, minimize premature release at untargeted locations, and lower systemic toxicity. This review explains how various nanocarriers target the tumor to improve therapeutic efficacy while reducing the negative effects of DOX.

  PublisherOA PDFDOI

• Comparative analysis of emulsion and suspension electrospun nanofibers’ rheological and mechanical properties

  Journal of the Textile Institute · 2025-12-08

  articleSenior author
  PublisherDOI

• Introduction to Bioabsorbable Polymers: Processing and Characterization

  Apple Academic Press eBooks · 2025-02-17

  book-chapter1st authorCorresponding

  Over the course of many decades, bioresorbable polymers have been explored as promising candidates for advancing the state of the art in healthcare and biotechnology. In particular, bioresorbable polymers with a well-defined design offer significant benefits over their bulk equivalents for use in biomedical and implant devices, such as cell transport, scaffolds for tissue engineering, hydrogels, and in the pharmaceutical domains. Due to the prospective applications in artificial implant systems and biomedical devices, biocompatible implant devices based on bioresorbable materials (such as bioresorbable polymers that combine the unique characteristics of biocompatibility and simple handling) have emerged as a very active area. The innovative bio-absorbable polymers (BAPs) known as poly-hydroxy aliphatic esters have found widespread use as implantation products (orthopedics, drug delivery, scaffolds, and sutures). Clinical applications of polylactic acid (PLA), polyglycolic acid (PGA), and polydioxanone (PDO) have been authorized by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA). Bio-absorbable polymers, their types, manufacturing, processing characteristics, and potential uses will be discussed in this chapter.

  PublisherDOI

Frequent coauthors

• Robert Guidoin

  335 shared

• Yves Marois

  143 shared

• Fan Zhang

  98 shared

• Ze Zhang

  74 shared

• Yvan Douville

  Université Laval

  69 shared

• Gaétan Laroche

  Université Laval

  60 shared

• Tushar Bambharoliya

  57 shared

• M Marois

  55 shared

Labs

• Research Lab at Wilson College of TextilesPI

Awards & honors

• University of Manitoba Merit Award for Teaching, Research &…
• F.I.T.S Fellowship Institute of Textile Science (1991)
• A.U.M.I.S.T. Polymer & Fibre Science University of Mancheste…