Hydrogels are polymeric materials distinguished by high water content and diverse physical properties.
They can be engineered to resemble the extracellular environment of the body’s tissues in ways that
enable their use in medical implants, biosensors, and drug-delivery devices. Cell-compatible hydrogels are
designed by using a strategy of coordinated control over physical properties and bioactivity to influence
specific interactions with cellular systems, including spatial and temporal patterns of biochemical and
biomechanical cues known to modulate cell behavior. Important new discoveries in stem cell research,
cancer biology, and cellular morphogenesis have been realized with model hydrogel systems premised on
these designs. Basic and clinical applications for hydrogels in cell therapy, tissue engineering, and
biomedical research continue to drive design improvements using performance-based materials
engineering paradigms.![]()
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