From Skin to Nerve: Mapping Tissue-Specific Innovations in Gelatin-Dopamine Hydrogel Platforms

Area of Science:

• Biomaterials Science
• Regenerative Medicine
• Tissue Engineering

Background:

• Gelatin-dopamine biomaterials exhibit excellent adhesive, biocompatible, and multifunctional properties.
• These materials are increasingly important in regenerative medicine for various tissue applications.

Purpose of the Study:

• To conduct a comprehensive review of gelatin-dopamine systems in regenerative medicine.
• To focus on the application of these biomaterials across diverse tissue types, including skin, bone, neural, and cardiovascular tissues.
• To examine the impact of dopamine on material properties and therapeutic outcomes.

Main Methods:

• Systematic review of published studies on gelatin-dopamine biomaterials.
• Analysis of fabrication strategies, including grafting and crosslinking.
• Evaluation of cell-material interactions, in vitro and in vivo performance, and preclinical therapeutic outcomes.

Main Results:

• Dopamine incorporation significantly enhances adhesion, mechanical strength, antioxidant capacity, and self-healing in gelatin-based biomaterials.
• Gelatin-dopamine systems demonstrate broad applicability and efficacy in preclinical studies for skin, bone, neural, and cardiovascular tissue regeneration.
• Key fabrication methods and their influence on material properties were identified.

Conclusions:

• Gelatin-dopamine biomaterials represent a promising platform for advanced regenerative therapies.
• Further research integrating technologies like nanocomposites and 3D bioprinting can optimize customized regenerative solutions.
• This review synthesizes current knowledge and highlights future research avenues for developing next-generation therapies.