Contents


Preface

Hydrogels are part of our day-to-day lives. They are components of our food and everyday objects. Most importantly, they are valuable intermediaries in the most innovative and unexpected attempts to cure, reduce the effects of diseases, and

Hydrogels, as three-dimensional (3D) polymer networks, are able to retain a large amount of water in their swollen state and are the first biomaterials useful for therapy in humans. They are fascinating materials for developing innovative formulations and applications. Hydrogels have unique properties derived from their 3D viscoelastic networks, essentially permitting attachment and later diffusion of particles, molecules, or cells, as well as serving as 3D bioprinting materials for tissue

The applications of hydrogels cover a range of domains, from the food industry to pharmaceuticals (for example, in controlled drug or cell delivery) to modern medicine (for example, implants, diagnostics, wound dressings, bone regeneration,

In the last few years, new methods have been developed for the preparation of hydrophilic polymers and hydrogels, which may be used in future biomedical and drug delivery applications. Such efforts include the synthesis of self-organized nanostructures based on triblock copolymers with applications in controlled drug delivery. These hydrogels could be used as carriers for drug delivery when combined

Engineered protein hydrogels have many potential advantages. They are excellent biomaterials and biodegradables. Furthermore, they can encapsulate drugs and be used in an injectable form to replace surgery, to repair damaged cartilage, in regenerative medicine, or in tissue engineering. Also, they have potential use in

Significant advances have been made in the field of hydrogels as intelligent and functional materials. Their application in the biomedical field has been inherently hidden by the toxicity of cross-linking agents. Emerging knowledge in the field of chemistry, as well as the proper understanding of biological processes, has led to the rational use of hydrogels as versatile materials and as matrices helping in minimally invasive therapies. Today, hydrogels appear to have tremendously promising application potentials. However, a number of challenges remain for clinical translation.

with the techniques of drug imprinting and subsequent release.

regenerate—in other words, to heal.

and soft contact lenses, to name only a few).

engineering.

gene therapy.
