Novel biomaterials are beneficial to the growing fields of drug delivery, cell biology, micro‐devices, and tissue engineering. With recent advances in chemistry and materials science, light is becoming an attractive option as a method to control biomaterial behavior and properties. In this Feature Article, we explore some of the early and recent advances in the design of light‐responsive biomaterials. Particular attention is paid to macromolecular assemblies for drug delivery, multi‐component surface patterning for advanced cell assays, and polymer networks that undergo chemical or shape changes upon light exposure. We conclude with some remarks about future directions of the field.
Research and development in the design, synthesis, modification, evaluation, and characterization of polysaccharide‐based bioactive polymeric materials for guiding and promoting new tissue in‐growth is reviewed. Emphasis is given in this interdisciplinary field of tissue engineering (TE) with particular reference to bone, cartilage, and skin TE. Current strategies in scaffold‐guided TE approaches using polymers of natural origin and their composites are elaborated. Innovative modification techniques in creating functional materials for advanced TE applications are presented. Challenges and possible solutions in the technological innovation in factor molecules incorporation and surface functionalization for improving the fabrication of biomaterials scaffolds for cost‐effective TE are also presented.
We report the production of chitosan‐based fibers and chitosan fiber‐mesh structures by melt processing (solvent‐free) to be used as tissue‐engineering scaffolds. The melt‐based approach used to produce the scaffolds does not change their main characteristics, including the surface roughness and microporosity. The porosity, pore size, interconnectivity and mechanical performance of the scaffolds are all within the range required for various tissue‐engineering applications. Biological assessments are performed in direct‐contact assays. Cells are able to colonize the scaffold, including the inner porous structure. The cells show high indices of viability in all of the scaffold types.
A hybrid system for producing conducting polymers within a doping hydrogel mesh is presented. These conductive hydrogels demonstrate comparable electroactivity to conventional conducting polymers without requiring the need for mobile doping ions which are typically used in literature. These hybrids have superior mechanical stability and a modulus significantly closer to neural tissue than materials which are commonly used for medical electrodes. Additionally they are shown to support the attachment and differentiation of neural like cells, with improved interaction when compared to homogeneous hydrogels. The system provides flexibility such that biologic incorporation can be tailored for application.
The selenoenzyme glutathione peroxidase has received increased attention as one of the antioxidative enzymes exerting important biological roles in living bodies. Over the past decades, much effort has been invested to mimic its catalytic behavior for understanding enzymatic catalytic mechanisms and also for developing potential medicines. A great number of artificial GPxs, ranging from small molecular compounds to macromolecular ones, have been designed and prepared by combining the concept of recognition and catalysis using chemical, biological and supramolecular strategies. In this article, we specify the development of artificial GPxs based on macromolecules as scaffolds, and discuss the power of reduced models in studying the bio‐catalytic nature of selenoenzymes.
Shape‐memory polymers (SMP) are versatile stimuli‐responsive materials that can switch, upon stimulation, from a temporary to a permanent shape. This advanced functionality makes SMP suitable and promising materials for diverse technological applications, including the fabrication of smart biomedical devices. In this paper, advances in the design of SMP are discussed, with emphasis on materials investigated for medical applications. Future directions necessary to bring SMP closer to their clinical application are also highlighted.
