Search research articles

ABOUT JoVE

Overview Leadership Blog JoVE Help Center

AUTHORS

Publishing Process Editorial Board Scope & Policies Peer Review FAQ Submit

LIBRARIANS

Testimonials Subscriptions Access Resources Library Advisory Board FAQ

RESEARCH

JoVE Journal Methods Collections JoVE Encyclopedia of Experiments Archive

EDUCATION

JoVE Core JoVE Business JoVE Science Education JoVE Lab Manual Faculty Resource Center Faculty Site

Terms & Conditions of Use

Related Concept Videos

You might also read

Related Articles

Articles linked to this work by shared authors, journal, and citation graph.

Sort by

Same author

Controlling 3D Contractility via Engineered Fibrous Hydrogel Composites.

Advanced functional materials·2026

Same author

Advances in light-based 3D bioprinting.

Biofabrication·2026

Same author

Synovial fibroblasts modulate endothelial activation in an acute injury-on-a-chip model.

Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences of the United States of America·2026

Same author

Engineering and Exploring Hydrolytic Degradation in 3D-Printed Liquid Crystalline Elastomers.

Biomacromolecules·2026

Same author

Ultrafast-relaxing and photopolymerizable PEG hydrogels enable viscoelasticity-mediated cell remodeling in synthetic matrices.

Matter·2026

Same author

Bioactive and Injectable Granular Hydrogels Incorporating Decellularized Extracellular Matrix.

ACS biomaterials science & engineering·2026

Same journal

Engineering environmental bacteria for whole-cell PET hydrolysis and assimilation.

Trends in biotechnology·2026

Same journal

Acoustic cavitation-enhanced lymphatic trafficking of inhaled bacterial-sourced biohybrid vaccines for antitumor immunity.

Trends in biotechnology·2026

Same journal

Make uphill thermodynamics downhill in pathway design.

Trends in biotechnology·2026

Same journal

Engineering a capture-bioremediate-release microbial biofilm for simultaneous bioremediation of microplastics and adsorbed heavy metals.

Trends in biotechnology·2026

Same journal

Engineered bacterial biofilms for biotechnological applications.

Trends in biotechnology·2026

Same journal

Multiscale and programmable engineering of edible mushroom mycelium-based materials.

Trends in biotechnology·2026

See all related articles

Search research articles

Related Experiment Video

Updated: Dec 8, 2025

Microwave-assisted Functionalization of Polyethylene glycol and On-resin Peptides for Use in Chain Polymerizations and Hydrogel Formation

Microwave-assisted Functionalization of Polyethylene glycol and On-resin Peptides for Use in Chain Polymerizations and Hydrogel Formation

Published on: October 29, 2013

Enhancing Biopolymer Hydrogel Functionality through Interpenetrating Networks.

Abhishek P Dhand¹, Jonathan H Galarraga¹, Jason A Burdick¹

¹Department of Bioengineering, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA 19104, USA.

Trends in Biotechnology

|September 20, 2020

Summary

This summary is machine-generated.

Interpenetrating polymer network (IPN) hydrogels enhance traditional hydrogels by adding secondary networks. This improves mechanical strength, creates smart materials, and refines cell interactions for advanced biomedical uses.

Keywords:

biopolymers cell–material interactions double networks interpenetrating network hydrogels mechanical reinforcement stimuli-responsive materials

More Related Videos

Patterning Bioactive Proteins or Peptides on Hydrogel Using Photochemistry for Biological Applications

Patterning Bioactive Proteins or Peptides on Hydrogel Using Photochemistry for Biological Applications

Published on: September 15, 2017

Injectable Supramolecular Polymer-Nanoparticle Hydrogels for Cell and Drug Delivery Applications

Injectable Supramolecular Polymer-Nanoparticle Hydrogels for Cell and Drug Delivery Applications

Published on: February 7, 2021

Related Experiment Videos

Last Updated: Dec 8, 2025

Microwave-assisted Functionalization of Polyethylene glycol and On-resin Peptides for Use in Chain Polymerizations and Hydrogel Formation

Microwave-assisted Functionalization of Polyethylene glycol and On-resin Peptides for Use in Chain Polymerizations and Hydrogel Formation

Published on: October 29, 2013

Patterning Bioactive Proteins or Peptides on Hydrogel Using Photochemistry for Biological Applications

Patterning Bioactive Proteins or Peptides on Hydrogel Using Photochemistry for Biological Applications

Published on: September 15, 2017

Injectable Supramolecular Polymer-Nanoparticle Hydrogels for Cell and Drug Delivery Applications

Injectable Supramolecular Polymer-Nanoparticle Hydrogels for Cell and Drug Delivery Applications

Published on: February 7, 2021

Area of Science:

Biomaterials Science
Polymer Chemistry
Tissue Engineering

Background:

Traditional hydrogels show promise for biomedical applications but have limitations including poor mechanical properties and static characteristics.
These limitations hinder their ability to fully mimic the dynamic cellular microenvironment, restricting their therapeutic potential.

Purpose of the Study:

To review and identify trends in enhancing biopolymer-based hydrogels through the incorporation of secondary networks.
To explore how interpenetrating polymer network (IPN) hydrogels offer improved functionality for biomedical applications.

Main Methods:

Literature review focusing on studies incorporating secondary networks into traditional hydrogels.
Analysis of network structure and chemistry in interpenetrating polymer network (IPN) hydrogel systems.

Main Results:

Incorporating secondary networks into hydrogels significantly enhances mechanical properties.
Secondary networks enable the development of 'smart' hydrogels responsive to external stimuli.
IPN hydrogels allow for precise tuning of cell-material interactions, crucial for regenerative medicine.

Conclusions:

Interpenetrating polymer network (IPN) hydrogels represent a significant advancement over traditional hydrogels.
Strategic design of network structure and chemistry in IPN hydrogels is key to overcoming limitations.
IPN hydrogels are poised to meet demanding criteria across diverse biomedical fields.