Innovative Approaches of Biopolymer-Based Hydrogels: Development, Characterization, and Biomedical Applications

Dear Colleagues,

The Special Issue, “Innovative Approaches of Biopolymer-Based Hydrogels: Development, Characterization, and Biomedical Applications”, analyzes the latest advancements in the design, synthesis, and application of hydrogels derived from biopolymers. These natural polymers, which include polysaccharides and proteins, are becoming increasingly important in the biomedical field. Hydrogels are three-dimensional polymeric networks that can absorb substantial quantities of water or biological fluids and are obtained by the chemical or physical cross-linking of the polymer chains. Due to their high water content, porosity, and soft texture, they simulate natural living tissue, making them a top choice among synthetic materials. Their growing popularity is attributed mainly to their biocompatibility, biodegradability, and their ability to tailor their properties for specific uses, making them a compelling choice for a wide range of applications.

Various types of hydrogels are available for biomedical applications, including pH-sensitive hydrogels, thermogels, electro-sensitive hydrogels, and light-sensitive hydrogels, which could be used in the field of drug delivery or regenerative medicine.

A multidisciplinary approach is necessary to better understand the properties of these biomaterials that are based on hydrogels and are used in biomedical applications, as well as understanding their interactions with cells and biological tissues. This approach can cover various topics such as synthesizing biopolymer-based hydrogels, hydrogel structure, interactions of macromolecules with biological tissue, properties of biomaterials used for specific biomedical applications such as drug delivery, cell carriers and entrapment, wound management, and tissue engineering. We encourage the submission of both original articles and review articles.

Dr. Camelia Elena Iurciuc-Tincu
Prof. Dr. Lacramioara Ochiuz
Guest Editors

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