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Injectable Supramolecular Polymer-Nanoparticle Hydrogels for Cell and Drug Delivery Applications
Published on: February 7, 2021
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Supramolecular hydrogels: synthesis, properties and their biomedical applications
Ruijiao Dong1, Yan Pang, Yue Su
1School of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, State Key Laboratory of Metal Matrix Composites, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, 800 Dongchuan Road, Shanghai 200240, People's Republic of China. yuesu@sjtu.edu.cn xyzhu@sjtu.edu.cn.
Biomaterials Science
|July 30, 2015
Summary
Supramolecular hydrogels are advanced 3D polymers with unique properties for biomedical applications. This review highlights their design, structure-property relationships, and use in diagnosis and therapy.
Area of Science:
- Materials Science
- Polymer Chemistry
- Biomedical Engineering
Background:
- Supramolecular hydrogels are novel 3D hydrophilic cross-linked polymers.
- They exhibit unique physicochemical properties like water retention, drug loading, biodegradability, and biocompatibility.
- These hydrogels possess specific functionalities such as optoelectronic properties, bioactivity, self-healing, and shape memory abilities.
Purpose of the Study:
- To review recent advancements in the design and synthesis of supramolecular hydrogels.
- To emphasize the relationship between the structure and properties of these hydrogels.
- To explore their diverse applications in disease diagnosis and therapy.
Main Methods:
- Summarizing recent progress in supramolecular hydrogel design and synthesis.
- Analyzing structure-property relationships based on specific, directional noncovalent interactions.
- Compiling applications in bioimaging, biodetection, therapeutic delivery, and tissue engineering.
Main Results:
- Supramolecular hydrogels demonstrate reversible gel-sol transitions in response to environmental stimuli.
- Their design leverages specific noncovalent interactions for tailored properties.
- Wide-ranging applications in diagnostics and therapeutics are identified.
Conclusions:
- Supramolecular hydrogels hold significant promise as biomaterial scaffolds for diagnosis and therapy.
- Continued research in this area is expected to drive innovation.
- These advanced materials offer exciting possibilities for future biomedical advancements.
