Hydrogels for Biomedical Applications

Abstract

Biocompatible hydrogels are applied in biomedical and pharmaceutical areas due to their excellent adaptation and immunologic responsiveness in biologic systems. The chemical composition of biocompatible hydrogels defines the behavior or interaction with the living systems. In this direction, it is possible to control the chemical composition of hydrogels through synthetic methods or by combining synthetic and natural materials in order to increase the biocompatibility of materials. Through a synthetic process, the ionic and/or neutral functional groups can be incorporated into hydrogels with the aim of adapting the cell-material biointerface. The spacial distribution of functional groups on the surface and the type of cell line will define the cell adaptation capacity in contact with the hydrogel scaffold. Studies about interfacial properties at cell culture conditions, the effect of morphologic characteristics (nano-micro porous matrixes, nanogels, 2D and 3D macrostructures of hydrogels), and immune responses to the scaffold, support relevant information to define the biomedical applications of hydrogels, such as inducing the tissue regeneration, applying medical treatments at in-vitro and in-vivo conditions, and releasing systems of active compounds, among others.