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Smart Hydrogels in Biomedical Applications
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Smart Hydrogels in Biomedical Applications

A special issue of Materials (ISSN 1996-1944). This special issue belongs to the section "Biomaterials".

Deadline for manuscript submissions: closed (20 October 2019) | Viewed by 44215

Special Issue Editors

Prof. Dr. Nicholas Dunne

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Guest Editor
1. School of Mechanical and Manufacturing Engineering, Dublin City University, D09 NA55 Dublin, Ireland
2. Centre for Medical Engineering Research, Dublin City University, D09 NA55 Dublin, Ireland
Interests: biomaterials; tissue engineering; tissue regeneration; drug delivery; biomedical engineering
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals
Dr. Garrett McGuinness

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Guest Editor
Dublin City University, School of Mechanical & Manufacturing Engineering, Centre for Medical Engineering Research, Glasnevin, Dublin 9, Ireland
Interests: experimental biomaterials science; tissue engineered scaffolds; computational mechanics
Prof. Dr. Helen McCarthy

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
School of Pharmacy, Queen’s University Belfast, 97 Lisburn Rd., Belfast BT9 7BL, UK
Interests: nanomedicine; gene therapy; nucleic acids; oncology; wound healing and mRNA and DNA vaccination
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

We would like to invite you to contribute a short communication, full article or review to this Special Issue, entitled “Smart Hydrogels in Biomedical Applications”. All classifications of smart hydrogel-based systems, ranging from natural to synthetic and semi-synthetic, are very welcome. Responsiveness to different stimuli will be covered, including temperature, pH, light, ultrasound, etc., as well dual-responsive hydrogels. All features of the developmental process will be considered in this Special Issue, starting from the hydrogel synthesis and characterisation up to the engineering aspects associated with the fabrication of three-dimensional (3D) scaffolds for gene therapy applications or drug delivery systems that promote the repair and restoration of hard or soft tissue as consequence of disease of trauma.

We look forward to receiving your contribution before 30 September 2019, but extensions may be granted upon request.

Prof. Nicholas Dunne
Dr. Garrett McGuinness
Prof. Helen McCarthy
Guest Editors

Manuscript Submission Information

Manuscripts should be submitted online at www.mdpi.com by registering and logging in to this website. Once you are registered, click here to go to the submission form. Manuscripts can be submitted until the deadline. All submissions that pass pre-check are peer-reviewed. Accepted papers will be published continuously in the journal (as soon as accepted) and will be listed together on the special issue website. Research articles, review articles as well as short communications are invited. For planned papers, a title and short abstract (about 100 words) can be sent to the Editorial Office for announcement on this website.

Submitted manuscripts should not have been published previously, nor be under consideration for publication elsewhere (except conference proceedings papers). All manuscripts are thoroughly refereed through a single-blind peer-review process. A guide for authors and other relevant information for submission of manuscripts is available on the Instructions for Authors page. Materials is an international peer-reviewed open access semimonthly journal published by MDPI.

Please visit the Instructions for Authors page before submitting a manuscript. The Article Processing Charge (APC) for publication in this open access journal is 2600 CHF (Swiss Francs). Submitted papers should be well formatted and use good English. Authors may use MDPI's English editing service prior to publication or during author revisions.

Keywords

  • Smart 
  • Hydrogel 
  • 3D printing 
  • Additive manufacturing
  • Stimuli-responsive 
  • Drug delivery systems 
  • Gene therapy

Published Papers (7 papers)

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Research

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22 pages, 4200 KiB  
Article
Synthesis and Evaluation of a Thermoresponsive Degradable Chitosan-Grafted PNIPAAm Hydrogel as a “Smart” Gene Delivery System
by Monika Ziminska, Jordan J. Wilson, Emma McErlean, Nicholas Dunne and Helen O. McCarthy
Materials 2020, 13(11), 2530; https://doi.org/10.3390/ma13112530 - 02 Jun 2020
Cited by 23 | Viewed by 4284
Abstract
Thermoresponsive hydrogels demonstrate tremendous potential as sustained drug delivery systems. However, progress has been limited as formulation of a stable biodegradable thermosensitive hydrogel remains a significant challenge. In this study, free radical polymerization was exploited to formulate a biodegradable thermosensitive hydrogel characterized by [...] Read more.
Thermoresponsive hydrogels demonstrate tremendous potential as sustained drug delivery systems. However, progress has been limited as formulation of a stable biodegradable thermosensitive hydrogel remains a significant challenge. In this study, free radical polymerization was exploited to formulate a biodegradable thermosensitive hydrogel characterized by sustained drug release. Highly deacetylated chitosan and N-isopropylacrylamide with distinctive physical properties were employed to achieve a stable, hydrogel network at body temperature. The percentage of chitosan was altered within the copolymer formulations and the subsequent physical properties were characterized using 1H-NMR, FTIR, and TGA. Viscoelastic, swelling, and degradation properties were also interrogated. The thermoresponsive hydrogels were loaded with RALA/pEGFP-N1 nanoparticles and release was examined. There was sustained release of nanoparticles over three weeks and, more importantly, the nucleic acid cargo remained functional and this was confirmed by successful transfection of the NCTC-929 fibroblast cell line. This tailored thermoresponsive hydrogel offers an option for sustained delivery of macromolecules over a prolonged considerable period. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Smart Hydrogels in Biomedical Applications)
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14 pages, 1379 KiB  
Article
Controlling Fluid Diffusion and Release through Mixed-Molecular-Weight Poly(ethylene) Glycol Diacrylate (PEGDA) Hydrogels
by Kieran O’Donnell, Adrian Boyd and Brian J. Meenan
Materials 2019, 12(20), 3381; https://doi.org/10.3390/ma12203381 - 16 Oct 2019
Cited by 17 | Viewed by 3325
Abstract
Due to their inherent ability to swell in the presence of aqueous solutions, hydrogels offer a means for the delivery of therapeutic agents in a range of applications. In the context of designing functional tissue-engineering scaffolds, their role in providing for the diffusion [...] Read more.
Due to their inherent ability to swell in the presence of aqueous solutions, hydrogels offer a means for the delivery of therapeutic agents in a range of applications. In the context of designing functional tissue-engineering scaffolds, their role in providing for the diffusion of nutrients to cells is of specific interest. In particular, the facility to provide such nutrients over a prolonged period within the core of a 3D scaffold is a critical consideration for the prevention of cell death and associated tissue-scaffold failure. The work reported here seeks to address this issue via fabrication of hybrid 3D scaffolds with a component fabricated from mixed-molecular-weight hydrogel formulations capable of storing and releasing nutrient solutions over a predetermined time period. To this end, poly(ethylene) glycol diacrylate hydrogel blends comprising mixtures of PEGDA-575 Mw and PEGDA-2000 Mw were prepared via UV polymerization. The effects of addition of the higher-molecular-weight component and the associated photoinitiator concentration on mesh size and corresponding fluid permeability have been investigated by diffusion and release measurements using a Theophylline as an aqueous nutrient model solution. Fluid permeability across the hydrogel films has also been determined using a Rhodamine B solution and associated fluorescence measurements. The results indicate that addition of PEGDA-2000 Mw to PEGDA-575 Mw coupled with the use of a specific photoinitiator concentration provides a means to change mesh size in a hydrogel network while still retaining an overall microporous material structure. The range of mesh sizes created and their distribution in a 3D construct provides for the conditions required for a more prolonged nutrient release profile for tissue-engineering applications. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Smart Hydrogels in Biomedical Applications)
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14 pages, 4226 KiB  
Article
Swelling Behavior of Polyacrylamide–Cellulose Nanocrystal Hydrogels: Swelling Kinetics, Temperature, and pH Effects
by Tippabattini Jayaramudu, Hyun-U Ko, Hyun Chan Kim, Jung Woong Kim and Jaehwan Kim
Materials 2019, 12(13), 2080; https://doi.org/10.3390/ma12132080 - 28 Jun 2019
Cited by 85 | Viewed by 7612
Abstract
This paper reports swelling behavior of cellulose nanocrystal (CNC)-based polyacrylamide hydrogels prepared by a radical polymerization. The CNC acts as a nanofiller through the formation of complexation and intermolecular interaction. FTIR spectroscopy and XRD studies confirmed the formation of intermolecular bonds between the [...] Read more.
This paper reports swelling behavior of cellulose nanocrystal (CNC)-based polyacrylamide hydrogels prepared by a radical polymerization. The CNC acts as a nanofiller through the formation of complexation and intermolecular interaction. FTIR spectroscopy and XRD studies confirmed the formation of intermolecular bonds between the acrylamide and hydroxyl groups of CNC. The swelling ratio and water retention were studied in de-ionized (DI) water at room temperature, and the temperature effect on the swelling ratio was investigated. Further, the pH effect on the swelling ratio was studied with different temperature levels. Increasing the pH with temperature, the prepared hydrogel shows 6 times higher swelling ratio than the initial condition. The swelling kinetics of the developed hydrogels explains that the diffusion mechanism is Fickian diffusion mechanism. Since the developed hydrogels have good swelling behaviors with respect to pH and temperature, they can be used as smart materials in the field of controlled drug delivery applications. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Smart Hydrogels in Biomedical Applications)
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13 pages, 8583 KiB  
Article
Injectable Hydrogels Based on Pluronic/Water Systems Filled with Alginate Microparticles for Biomedical Applications
by M. T. Cidade, D. J. Ramos, J. Santos, H. Carrelo, N. Calero and J. P. Borges
Materials 2019, 12(7), 1083; https://doi.org/10.3390/ma12071083 - 02 Apr 2019
Cited by 44 | Viewed by 4329
Abstract
A (model) composite system for drug delivery was developed based on a thermoresponsive hydrogel loaded with microparticles. We used Pluronic F127 hydrogel as the continuous phase and alginate microparticles as the dispersed phase of this composite system. It is well known that Pluronic [...] Read more.
A (model) composite system for drug delivery was developed based on a thermoresponsive hydrogel loaded with microparticles. We used Pluronic F127 hydrogel as the continuous phase and alginate microparticles as the dispersed phase of this composite system. It is well known that Pluronic F127 forms a gel when added to water in an appropriate concentration and in a certain temperature range. Pluronic F127 hydrogel may be loaded with drug and injected, in its sol state, to act as a drug delivery system in physiological environment. A rheological characterization allowed the most appropriate concentration of Pluronic F127 (15.5 wt%) and appropriate alginate microparticles contents (5 and 10 wt%) to be determined. Methylene blue (MB) was used as model drug to perform drug release studies in MB loaded Pluronic hydrogel and in MB loaded alginate microparticles/Pluronic hydrogel composite system. The latter showed a significantly slower MB release than the former (10 times), suggesting its potential in the development of dual cargo release systems either for drug delivery or tissue engineering. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Smart Hydrogels in Biomedical Applications)
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22 pages, 2813 KiB  
Article
Physically Cross-Linked Gels of PVA with Natural Polymers as Matrices for Manuka Honey Release in Wound-Care Applications
by Antonia Monica Neres Santos, Ana Paula Duarte Moreira, Carlos W. Piler Carvalho, Rosa Luchese, Edlene Ribeiro, Garrett B. McGuinness, Marisa Fernandes Mendes and Renata Nunes Oliveira
Materials 2019, 12(4), 559; https://doi.org/10.3390/ma12040559 - 13 Feb 2019
Cited by 46 | Viewed by 5113
Abstract
Manuka honey is a well-known natural material from New Zealand, considered to have properties beneficial for burn treatment. Gels created from polyvinyl alcohol (PVA) blended with natural polymers are potential burn-care dressings, combining biocompatibility with high fluid uptake. Controlled release of manuka honey [...] Read more.
Manuka honey is a well-known natural material from New Zealand, considered to have properties beneficial for burn treatment. Gels created from polyvinyl alcohol (PVA) blended with natural polymers are potential burn-care dressings, combining biocompatibility with high fluid uptake. Controlled release of manuka honey from such materials is a possible strategy for improving burn healing. This work aimed to produce polyvinyl alcohol (PVA), PVA–sodium carboxymethylcellulose (PVA-CMC), PVA–gelatin (PVA-G), and PVA–starch (PVA-S) cryogels infused with honey and to characterize these materials physicochemically, morphologically, and thermally, followed by in vitro analysis of swelling capacity, degradation/weight loss, honey delivery kinetics, and possible activity against Staphylococcus aureus. The addition of honey to PVA led to many PVA crystals with defects, while PVA–starch–honey and PVA–sodium carboxymethylcellulose–honey (PVA-CMC-H) formed amorphous gels. PVA-CMC presented the highest swelling degree of all. PVA-CMC-H and PVA–gelatin–honey presented the highest swelling capacities of the honey-laden samples. Weight loss/degradation was significantly higher for samples containing honey. Layers submitted to more freeze–thawing cycles were less porous in SEM images. With the honey concentration used, samples did not inhibit S. aureus, but pure manuka honey was bactericidal and dilutions superior to 25% honey were bacteriostatic, indicating the need for higher concentrations to be more effective. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Smart Hydrogels in Biomedical Applications)
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21 pages, 5971 KiB  
Article
Synthesis, Nanomechanical Characterization and Biocompatibility of a Chitosan-Graft-Poly(ε-caprolactone) Copolymer for Soft Tissue Regeneration
by Costas A. Charitidis, Dimitrios A. Dragatogiannis, Eleni Milioni, Maria Kaliva, Maria Vamvakaki and Maria Chatzinikolaidou
Materials 2019, 12(1), 150; https://doi.org/10.3390/ma12010150 - 04 Jan 2019
Cited by 15 | Viewed by 3547
Abstract
Tissue regeneration necessitates the development of appropriate scaffolds that facilitate cell growth and tissue development by providing a suitable substrate for cell attachment, proliferation, and differentiation. The optimized scaffolds should be biocompatible, biodegradable, and exhibit proper mechanical behavior. In the present study, the [...] Read more.
Tissue regeneration necessitates the development of appropriate scaffolds that facilitate cell growth and tissue development by providing a suitable substrate for cell attachment, proliferation, and differentiation. The optimized scaffolds should be biocompatible, biodegradable, and exhibit proper mechanical behavior. In the present study, the nanomechanical behavior of a chitosan-graft-poly(ε-caprolactone) copolymer, in hydrated and dry state, was investigated and compared to those of the individual homopolymers, chitosan (CS) and poly(ε-caprolactone) (PCL). Hardness and elastic modulus values were calculated, and the time-dependent behavior of the samples was studied. Submersion of PCL and the graft copolymer in α-MEM suggested the deterioration of the measured mechanical properties as a result of the samples’ degradation. However, even after three days of degradation, the graft copolymer presented sufficient mechanical strength and elastic properties, which resemble those reported for soft tissues. The in vitro biological evaluation of the material clearly demonstrated that the CS-g-PCL copolymer supports the growth of Wharton’s jelly mesenchymal stem cells and tissue formation with a simultaneous material degradation. Both the mechanical and biological data render the CS-g-PCL copolymer appropriate as a scaffold in a cell-laden construct for soft tissue engineering. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Smart Hydrogels in Biomedical Applications)
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Review

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33 pages, 1741 KiB  
Review
Smart Hydrogels in Tissue Engineering and Regenerative Medicine
by Somasundar Mantha, Sangeeth Pillai, Parisa Khayambashi, Akshaya Upadhyay, Yuli Zhang, Owen Tao, Hieu M. Pham and Simon D. Tran
Materials 2019, 12(20), 3323; https://doi.org/10.3390/ma12203323 - 12 Oct 2019
Cited by 454 | Viewed by 15221
Abstract
The field of regenerative medicine has tremendous potential for improved treatment outcomes and has been stimulated by advances made in bioengineering over the last few decades. The strategies of engineering tissues and assembling functional constructs that are capable of restoring, retaining, and revitalizing [...] Read more.
The field of regenerative medicine has tremendous potential for improved treatment outcomes and has been stimulated by advances made in bioengineering over the last few decades. The strategies of engineering tissues and assembling functional constructs that are capable of restoring, retaining, and revitalizing lost tissues and organs have impacted the whole spectrum of medicine and health care. Techniques to combine biomimetic materials, cells, and bioactive molecules play a decisive role in promoting the regeneration of damaged tissues or as therapeutic systems. Hydrogels have been used as one of the most common tissue engineering scaffolds over the past two decades due to their ability to maintain a distinct 3D structure, to provide mechanical support for the cells in the engineered tissues, and to simulate the native extracellular matrix. The high water content of hydrogels can provide an ideal environment for cell survival, and structure which mimics the native tissues. Hydrogel systems have been serving as a supportive matrix for cell immobilization and growth factor delivery. This review outlines a brief description of the properties, structure, synthesis and fabrication methods, applications, and future perspectives of smart hydrogels in tissue engineering. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Smart Hydrogels in Biomedical Applications)
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