Structured hydrogel matrices
-
Nanostructured hydrogel matrices
Hydrogels, composed of a polymeric matrix and an “immobilized” liquid phase, are perfect materials for bioengineering, especially as scaffolds for regenerative medicine methods. Fabrication techniques of 2D and 3D structured hydrogels are still laborious and limit their use. Due to the imperative of non-invasive techniques elaboration, hydrogels are conceived to allow their injection. This is currently achieved by using liquid materials, complicating control over final structure which, as scaffold, is known to be crucial for tissue growth and properties.This project aims to develop an easy fabrication process of micro structured and injectable hydrogel matrixes. The method proposed is based on prefabricated functionalized hydrogel blocks that will form, via self-assembling, a complex matrix whose structure could be predefined by the geometry and functionalization of the blocks composing it. Controlled growth of embedded cells could then be achieved via biochemical (growth factors) and physical (scaffold structure) cues.This project aiming to test and validate the concept of using self assembling to develop structured hydrogel matrixes as regenerative medicine scaffold, our work will focus on the control over the structure and not on the administration via injection.
-
Development of Nanostructured Hydrogels for Spatial and Temporal Controlled Release of Active Compounds.
Controlled drug delivery technology represents one of the most rapidly advancing areas of science in which chemists and chemical engineers are contributing to human health care. Such delivery systems provide numerous advantages compared to conventional dosage forms including improved efficacy, and improved patient compliance and convenience. Such systems often use synthetic polymers as carriers for the drugs. As a result, treatments that would not otherwise be possible are now in conventional use. The role of bilayered vesicles as efficient carriers for drugs, vaccines, diagnostic agents and other bioactive agents have led to a rapid advancement in the liposomal drug delivery system. Moreover, the site avoidance and site-specific drug targeting therapy could be achieved by formulating a liposomal product, so as to reduce the cytotoxicity of many potent therapeutic agents. Our project focuses on developing and building hydrogel with nanoinclusion of liposomes loaded with active compounds such as proteins and growth factors able to release them in a controlled fashion. In order to achieve that, we synthesize several liposomes of two different phospholipids concentrations encapsulating model drug. Then, formulating hydrogel with specific mechanical properties embedding the liposomes to manage the release of active compound.
