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Microbiome-Responsive Hydrogels: From Biological Cues to Smart Biomaterials.

Rajesh Vadlapatla1, Amir Nasrolahi Shirazi1, Ajoy Koomer1

  • 1Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, College of Pharmacy, Marshall B. Ketchum University, 2575 Yorba Linda Blvd., Fullerton, CA 92831, USA.

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Summary

Microbiome-responsive hydrogels (MRHs) leverage microbial cues for enhanced specificity in therapies. This review explores MRH engineering, stimuli, applications, and challenges for next-generation smart biomaterials.

Keywords:
biological triggerscontrolled drug deliveryenzyme-responsive materialsmicrobial metabolitesmicrobiome-responsive hydrogelssmart biomaterialsstimuli-responsive hydrogels

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Area of Science:

  • Biomaterials Science
  • Microbiology
  • Drug Delivery

Background:

  • Stimuli-responsive hydrogels (SRHs) lack biological specificity for complex tissue microenvironments.
  • Microbe-colonized tissues present unique biochemical signals (pH gradients, metabolites, enzymes) linked to health and disease.
  • Current hydrogel design underutilizes these endogenous microbial signals.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To highlight microbiome-responsive hydrogels (MRHs) as a strategy to address the limitations of SRHs.
  • To review engineering approaches, microbial stimuli, and applications of MRHs.
  • To emphasize translational and regulatory challenges in the field of MRHs.

Main Methods:

  • Literature review of current engineering approaches for MRHs.
  • Identification and summary of key microbial stimuli utilized in MRH design.
  • Analysis of emerging biomedical applications and translational challenges of MRHs.

Main Results:

  • MRHs utilize microbial cues for tailored responses like swelling, degradation, and drug release.
  • MRHs offer improved physiological relevance and specificity by targeting microbe-derived signals.
  • This approach enables precision therapies for disease-associated microbial niches.

Conclusions:

  • MRHs represent a promising but early-stage field requiring standardized triggers and design frameworks.
  • Further research is needed to overcome fragmentation and establish robust evaluation strategies.
  • MRHs are positioned as an underexplored platform for advanced smart biomaterials.