Development of Advanced Hydrogels as Functional Biomaterials

Dear Colleagues,

Hydrogels have been used as one of the most common tissue engineering scaffolds over the last two decades due to their ability to maintain a distinct 3D structure, provide mechanical support for the cells in engineered tissues, and simulate the native extracellular matrix. However, to enable their clinical translation, hydrogels need to be engineered to be able to respond to their native environment upon implantation. The constant impetus to develop functional and biomimetic hydrogels over the past decade has yielded hydrogels with innovative chemistries and spatio-temporal control. To engineer functional hydrogels that can be used for translational applications, there is a growing effort to develop smart hydrogels that can respond to their dynamic environment. In this Special Issue, we invite submissions from researchers working on novel hydrogel chemistries to develop advanced biomaterial scaffolds that can offer precise spatiotemporal control over the hydrogel’s properties. The goal of this Special Issue is to highlight the recent research developments for engineering functional biomimetic scaffolds. All tissue engineering and biomedical hydrogel applications will be considered. Articles that discuss novel hydrogel chemistries and their translation potential compared to conventionally known hydrogels will be prioritized. We look forward to the submission of new results on the recent advances made in the development of functional biomimetic hydrogels that explore new chemistries and novel applications. The submission of both original research and review articles is welcome.

Dr. Sanika Suvarnapathaki
Dr. Robin Augustine
Guest Editors

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• biomaterials
• hydrogels
• tissue engineering
• scaffolds
• oxygen-releasing biomaterials