Review
Chemistry, Physical
Archita Sharma, Pooja Sharma, Sangita Roy
Summary: The advancement in regenerative medicines has led to the development of biomimetic artificial ECMs using bioinspired materials. Protein polymers with functional amino acid sequences, like elastin-like polypeptides, are gaining interest for their unique properties and potential applications in wound care, tissue engineering, and more. Exploring short elastin-mimetic peptides is crucial for advancing healthcare applications.
Article
Engineering, Environmental
Yun Li, Xiaoyao Cai, Zhilong Wang, Yu Han, Chunhua Ren, Lijun Yang, Zhongyan Wang, Ganen Mu, Haixue Jia, Jianfeng Liu, Jinjian Liu, Cuihong Yang
Summary: Inspired by protein-metal ion regulation, researchers have been studying the role of metal coordination in peptide folding and assembly. A bio-inspired peptide derivative (Supra GHK) was developed, which self-assembled into a supramolecular metallopeptide hydrogel (Supra GHK-Cu) upon the addition of Cu2+. Cu2+ induced allosteric effects on the folded structure of Supra GHK through chelation. Supra GHK-Cu exhibited resistance to protease degradation, accelerated wound healing, and showed promise for applications in various biomedical fields.
CHEMICAL ENGINEERING JOURNAL
(2023)
Article
Materials Science, Multidisciplinary
Tiantian Xia, Xiaotong Cheng, Xianbao Sun, Gaolin Liang
Summary: In this work, an anthracene-peptide gelator with photochemically regulated gel-sol switches is reported. The gel-sol transition can be achieved through laser irradiation at different wavelengths, providing a controllable method to manipulate the gel properties.
ACS MATERIALS LETTERS
(2022)
Article
Nanoscience & Nanotechnology
Kun Chen, Kewei Liang, He Liu, Ruonan Liu, Yiying Liu, Sijia Zeng, Ye Tian
Summary: In this study, a bionic e-skin with unique durability for human-machine interaction was developed using a physical cross-linking salting-freezing-thawing method. The e-skin showed tunable mechanical properties and high tensile strength even after multiple recoveries. It exhibited transparency, super toughness, antibacterial properties, UV protection, high electrical conductivity, and recyclability, making it suitable for various applications such as physiological monitoring, underwater activities, and information encryption.
NANO-MICRO LETTERS
(2023)
Article
Engineering, Biomedical
Grazia Marsico, Chunseng Jin, Sunny A. Abbah, Eva M. Brauchle, Dilip Thomas, Ana Lucia Rebelo, Doriana Orbanic, Sandrine Chantepie, Paolo Contessotto, Dulce Papy-Garcia, Carlos Rodriguez-Cabello, Michelle Kilcoyne, K. Schenke-Layland, N. G. Karlsson, Karl J. A. McCullagh, Abhay Pandit
Summary: This study demonstrated glycosylation changes associated with ischemia in a murine CLI model, and evaluated the efficacy of an ELR hydrogel for CLI treatment. The ELR hydrogel modulated angiogenic signaling pathways, promoted capillary formation and ECM remodeling, while also inducing arterioles formation, reducing fibrosis, and polarizing anti-inflammatory macrophages. The study suggests a potential role for mannosylation and sialylation in tissue repair, highlighting glycosylation alterations as new therapeutic targets for CLI.
Article
Engineering, Biomedical
Ziwen Qiao, Xueli Lv, Shaohua He, Shumeng Bai, Xiaochen Liu, Linxi Hou, Jingjing He, Dongmei Tong, Renjie Ruan, Jin Zhang, Jianxun Ding, Huanghao Yang
Summary: This study developed a mussel-inspired hydrogel with robust mechanical properties and excellent hemostatic efficiency by combining chitosan, silk fibroin, and tannic acid. The hydrogel showed superior performance in various arterial and visceral bleeding models, with lower blood loss and shorter time to hemostasis. The unique hydrogel could offer significant advantages in acute wounds and massive hemorrhage with restrictive access to therapeutic options.
BIOACTIVE MATERIALS
(2021)
Review
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Ridhima Goel, Deepak Gulwani, Priyanka Upadhyay, Vijaya Sarangthem, Thoudam Debraj Singh
Summary: The 3D cell culture technique has gained appreciation recently as a research model, showcasing rapid growth and diverse scaffold testing, especially in spheroid cultures. Spheroid cultures provide opportunities for diverse biological studies, such as drug discovery, metabolic profiling, stem cell research, and tumor biology. The existing spheroid fabrication techniques have limitations, and there is a need for an economical and bio-compatible substrate for high throughput spheroid production.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF BIOLOGICAL MACROMOLECULES
(2023)
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Sidi Duan, Shuwang Wu, Mutian Hua, Dong Wu, Yichen Yan, Xinyuan Zhu, Ximin He
Summary: Researchers have developed a method to strengthen polyvinyl alcohol hydrogels inspired by tendons and coniferous trees, enhancing their mechanical properties and freeze resistance. This versatile material has broad applications, such as in manufacturing hydraulic actuators and ionic conductors.
Article
Engineering, Environmental
Xianxian Lin, Xi Guo, Chendong Qiu, Hang Wang, Long Zheng, Zhen Zhang, Yuan Yuan, Weisheng Sun, Yiqiang Wu
Summary: The demand for advanced fire-retardant wearable materials has increased due to the rise in fire disasters. Traditional fabrics have drawbacks such as non-temperature regulation, non-recyclability, and contamination. Inspired by leaf transpiration, a flame-retardant thermal regulation material (LPWH) was developed to address these issues. LPWH demonstrates a longer ignition time, lower smoke release, and ultralow fire growth compared to commercial fire-retardant cotton fabric. It also exhibits reversible fire retardancy and great mechanical properties, making it a potential pollution-free, recyclable temperature-regulated fireproof suit.
CHEMICAL ENGINEERING JOURNAL
(2023)
Article
Materials Science, Multidisciplinary
Lina Huang, Zhipeng Li, Shuanhong Ma, Dongdong Ye, Jia Yang, Gang Qin, Haiyan Yin, Qiang Chen
Summary: Inspired by the structure of articular cartilage, researchers have developed a layered double-network hydrogel with a soft and tough lubricating layer on a stiff and tough load-bearing substrate. This biomimetic hydrogel exhibits a low coefficient of friction and wear resistance, making it a promising material for tissue engineering and medical devices.
ACS APPLIED POLYMER MATERIALS
(2022)
Article
Materials Science, Multidisciplinary
Lina Huang, Zhipeng Li, Shuanhong Ma, Dongdong Ye, Jia Yang, Gang Qin, Haiyan Yin, Qiang Chen
Summary: This study develops a layered hybrid double-network hydrogel inspired by the structure of articular cartilage. The soft and tough layer on the stiff and tough substrate provides an excellent balance of lubrication and load-bearing, resulting in a low coefficient of friction and wear-resistant biomimetic cartilage.
ACS APPLIED POLYMER MATERIALS
(2022)
Article
Engineering, Biomedical
Zhanrong Jia, Xuanhan Lv, Yue Hou, Kefeng Wang, Fuzeng Ren, Dingguo Xu, Qun Wang, Kelong Fan, Chaoming Xie, Xiong Lu
Summary: This study presents a mussel-inspired nanozyme-catalyzed adhesive hydrogel with multiple functions, including adhesiveness, antibacterial activity, and implantable bioelectrode capabilities. It shows great potential for various applications in the medical field.
BIOACTIVE MATERIALS
(2021)
Review
Chemistry, Physical
Qin Yu, Zirong Zheng, Xinhao Dong, Rui Cao, Shuheng Zhang, Xiaolin Wu, Xinya Zhang
Summary: This review discusses the use of multifunctional hydrogels to improve the performance of wearable sensors, including mechanical strength, adhesion, electrical conductivity, and antibacterial properties. Strategies for achieving durable hydrogels were examined, involving double network structures, nanocomposites, supramolecular block polymers, among others.
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Donghui Zhang, Qi Chen, Yufang Bi, Haodong Zhang, Minzhang Chen, Jianglin Wan, Chao Shi, Wenjing Zhang, Junyu Zhang, Zhongqian Qiao, Jin Li, Shengfu Chen, Runhui Liu
Summary: The authors demonstrate that a highly water soluble, biocompatible, and easily accessible poly-DL-serine hydrogel can mitigate foreign-body response caused by implantation, showing promising potential for wide application in implantable biomaterials and biomedical devices.
NATURE COMMUNICATIONS
(2021)
Article
Polymer Science
Jonathan M. Millican, Eva Bittrich, Anja Caspari, Kathrin Poschel, Astrid Drechsler, Uwe Freudenberg, Timothy G. Ryan, Richard L. Thompson, Doris Pospiech, Lian R. Hutchings
Summary: A novel terpolymer containing dopamine methacrylamide (DMA) was synthesized and characterized for potential use as a biosensor coating. The presence of DMA was found to impact the properties of the copolymer, with the catechol group playing a significant role in adhesion. DMA was crucial for preventing significant desorption of the copolymer.
EUROPEAN POLYMER JOURNAL
(2021)
