Hydrogel platforms for engineered live biotherapeutics: materials, microbial integration and clinical potential

Area of Science:

• Biomaterials science
• Microbiology
• Therapeutics

Background:

• Engineered living materials (ELMs) integrate microorganisms into matrices for applications.
• Hydrogels encapsulating engineered live biotherapeutic products (eLBPs) offer improved stability and delivery.
• Microbial therapeutics face challenges like environmental stress and immune clearance.

Purpose of the Study:

• To review advances in hydrogel-based delivery of eLBPs.
• To highlight material design, microbial engineering, and performance metrics.
• To provide a framework for developing next-generation living materials for human health.

Main Methods:

• Literature review of recent advances in hydrogel-based eLBP delivery.
• Analysis of material design strategies for hydrogels.
• Examination of microbial engineering approaches for eLBPs.
• Evaluation of performance metrics for clinical translation.

Main Results:

• Hydrogels enhance microbial stability and protect against environmental stress and immune clearance.
• Hydrogel systems facilitate nutrient diffusion and maintain microbial activity.
• Recent advances focus on material design, microbial engineering, and performance metrics for clinical translation.

Conclusions:

• Hydrogel-encapsulated eLBPs represent a promising platform for therapeutic applications.
• Addressing challenges in material design and microbial engineering is crucial for clinical translation.
• Further development is needed to bring these living material systems from bench to bedside.