Functionalized Hydrogels: Biomimetic Design, Adhesion Mechanisms and Biomedical Applications
A special issue of Gels (ISSN 2310-2861). This special issue belongs to the section "Gel Chemistry and Physics".
Deadline for manuscript submissions: 30 June 2026 | Viewed by 82
Special Issue Editor
Interests: gels; antibacterial activity; anti-infection activity; wound healing; anti-inflammatory activity
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals
Special Issue Information
Dear Colleagues,
Functionalized hydrogels represent a cutting-edge class of biomaterials designed to mimic natural biological systems, offering remarkable properties such as tunable mechanics, biocompatibility, and multifunctionality. In biomedical applications, functionalized hydrogels show immense potential as adhesive wound dressings, drug delivery platforms, tissue engineering scaffolds, and bioelectronic interfaces. Their ability to adapt to dynamic biological environments while maintaining robust performance makes them ideal for use in regenerative medicine and minimally invasive therapies. Current research aims to optimize their multifunctionality, biodegradability, and integration with smart technologies, further bridging the gap between synthetic materials and biological systems. These advancements position functionalized hydrogels as transformative tools for next-generation healthcare solutions.
This Special Issue, “Functionalized Hydrogels: Biomimetic Design, Adhesion Mechanisms and Biomedical Applications”, will explore the latest advancements in biomimetic design strategies. It will focus on adhesion mechanisms, including physical (e.g., hydrogen bonds and electrostatic forces) and chemical (e.g., catechol-based, Schiff base, and enzyme-mediated crosslinking) interactions, enabling robust and adaptable bioadhesion for diverse applications.
We invite the submission of original research and reviews on novel hydrogel functionalization techniques, mechanistic studies, and translational developments. By fostering interdisciplinary collaboration, this Special Issue aims to accelerate the transition of functionalized hydrogels from lab-scale breakthroughs to real-world medical solutions.
Dr. Chao Zhou
Guest Editor
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. Gels is an international peer-reviewed open access monthly 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 2100 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
- functional hydrogels
- biomimicry
- tissue regeneration
- wound dressing
- drug delivery
- engineering scaffolds
- bioelectronic interfaces
- wearable sensors
- hydrogel microneedles.
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