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Function-Inspired Design of Molecular Hydrogels: Paradigm-Shifting Biomaterials for Biomedical Applications

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Molecular Architectonics and Nanoarchitectonics

Part of the book series: Nanostructure Science and Technology ((NST))

Abstract

Molecular hydrogels represent a fascinating area of research that has its roots in drug delivery. However, now molecular hydrogels play an intrinsic role in a multitude of applications in various fields of biomedical research such as bioengineering, immunotherapy, tissue adhesives and sealants, cell growth matrices, and stimuli-responsive materials. The design of new biomaterials that can release cargo depending on multiple stimuli and their capacity to hold vast amounts of cargo has significantly expanded their use. However, their clinical translation is still dependent on their intrinsic design and is governed by multiple factors such as easy clearance, lack of immune response, and breakdown into nontoxic products. This chapter describes a few accounts of a new class of molecular hydrogels with their potential applications through preclinical models.

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Acknowledgments

A. Dhayani thanks University Grant Commission for Senior Research Fellowship. MKD thanks bridging postdoctoral fellowship, CORE Grant from DBT-inStem. The authors have no other relevant affiliations or financial involvement with any organization or entity with a financial interest in or financial conflict with the subject matter or materials discussed in the manuscript apart from those disclosed.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Institute for Stem Cell Science and Regenerative Medicine (inStem), Bengaluru, Karnataka, India

    Ashish Dhayani, Preethem Srinath, Sujanthi Easwara Prasad, Afsana Naaz, Mukesh Dhanka, Sanjeeb Kalita & Praveen Kumar Vemula

  2. School of Chemical and Biotechnology, SASTRA University, Thanjavur, Tamil Nadu, India

    Ashish Dhayani & Sujanthi Easwara Prasad

Authors
  1. Ashish Dhayani
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  2. Preethem Srinath
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  3. Sujanthi Easwara Prasad
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  4. Afsana Naaz
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  5. Mukesh Dhanka
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  6. Sanjeeb Kalita
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  7. Praveen Kumar Vemula
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Correspondence to Praveen Kumar Vemula .

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Editors and Affiliations

  1. Bioorganic Chemistry Laboratory, New Chemistry Unit and School of Advanced Materials (SAMat), Jawaharlal Nehru Centre for Advanced Scientific Research, Bengaluru, Karnataka, India

    Thimmaiah Govindaraju

  2. International Center for Materials, Nanoarchitectonics (WPI-MANA), National Institute for Materials Science (NIMS), Ibaraki, Tsukuba, Japan

    Katsuhiko Ariga

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Dhayani, A. et al. (2022). Function-Inspired Design of Molecular Hydrogels: Paradigm-Shifting Biomaterials for Biomedical Applications. In: Govindaraju, T., Ariga, K. (eds) Molecular Architectonics and Nanoarchitectonics. Nanostructure Science and Technology. Springer, Singapore. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-981-16-4189-3_9

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