Hydrogels are classically defined as three-dimensional (3D) networks of cross-linked hydrophilic polymers that take up significant amounts of water or biological fluids while maintaining their structure. Hydrogels have been created from natural or synthetic materials. The inherent biocompatibility and similar physical properties to natural tissue, hydrogels are currently being investigated for a myriad of in vivo applications. Some of the exciting applications for hydrogels include use for drug delivery, tissue engineering, and repair, wound repair, pharmaceuticals, biosensors, pH sensors, and diagnostics.
Signficant progress has been made in the development, optimization, and application of hydrogels for therapeutic applications. However, large-scale application of hydrogels and hydrogel-based scaffolds has not yet been achieved due to the need for continued development in important areas such as novel materials, efficient and effective techniques for large-scale production of hydrogels, and the need to develop scaffolds containing biologically active macromolecules or cells. The goal for this Research Topic in the rapidly changing field of hydrogels is to publish cutting-edge research on central issues to hydrogel development and applications, with particular emphasis on drug delivery and tissue repair and regeneration.
- Hydrogels for drug delivery and tissue repair
- Novel materials for hydrogels
- Large scale production of hydrogels - methodologies and 3D bioprinting
- Bioactivity - development of hydrogels with bioactive molecules
- Self-assembly of injectable stimuli-responsive hydrogels (pH-thermally-mechanically-optically-responsive gels
- Development of cell-laden hydrogels
- Development and testing of combinations of material
- Tuning hydrogel structural, stiffness properties, and degradation rates
- Formation of multi-cell type and/or multi-tissue type scaffolds
Hydrogels are classically defined as three-dimensional (3D) networks of cross-linked hydrophilic polymers that take up significant amounts of water or biological fluids while maintaining their structure. Hydrogels have been created from natural or synthetic materials. The inherent biocompatibility and similar physical properties to natural tissue, hydrogels are currently being investigated for a myriad of in vivo applications. Some of the exciting applications for hydrogels include use for drug delivery, tissue engineering, and repair, wound repair, pharmaceuticals, biosensors, pH sensors, and diagnostics.
Signficant progress has been made in the development, optimization, and application of hydrogels for therapeutic applications. However, large-scale application of hydrogels and hydrogel-based scaffolds has not yet been achieved due to the need for continued development in important areas such as novel materials, efficient and effective techniques for large-scale production of hydrogels, and the need to develop scaffolds containing biologically active macromolecules or cells. The goal for this Research Topic in the rapidly changing field of hydrogels is to publish cutting-edge research on central issues to hydrogel development and applications, with particular emphasis on drug delivery and tissue repair and regeneration.
- Hydrogels for drug delivery and tissue repair
- Novel materials for hydrogels
- Large scale production of hydrogels - methodologies and 3D bioprinting
- Bioactivity - development of hydrogels with bioactive molecules
- Self-assembly of injectable stimuli-responsive hydrogels (pH-thermally-mechanically-optically-responsive gels
- Development of cell-laden hydrogels
- Development and testing of combinations of material
- Tuning hydrogel structural, stiffness properties, and degradation rates
- Formation of multi-cell type and/or multi-tissue type scaffolds