Hydrogel and Its Medical Applications
Hydrogels have been used as one of the most common tissue engineering scaffolds over the past two decades. They are a unique group of biocompatible 3D polymeric substances which can act as a scaffold and mimic the properties of various tissues in the body. Due to their ability to retain high water content, maintain porous structure, and adapt by interchangeable sol-gel conditions, hydrogels can: [1] Provide an ideal environment for cell survival, and structure which mimics the native tissues Serve as a supportive matrix for cell immobilization and growth factor delivery The mechanism is by Incorporating cells in their structure while eventually degrading themselves to leave behind only healthy tissue Promoting the influx of cell metabolites and the disposal of cell wastes through their pores. With consistent efforts, researchers have strived to engineer these hydrogels by modifying their physical and chemical properties, referring to them as ‘smart’ or ‘int...