We describe a method for creating alginate hydrogels with adjustable degradation rates that can be used as scaffolds for stem cells. Alginate hydrogels have been widely tested as three-dimensional constructs for cell culture, cell carriers for implantation, and in tissue regeneration applications; however, alginate hydrogel implants can take months to disappear from implantation sites because m...

Hydrogels composed of N-quaternized chitosan (NQC) and poly(vinyl alcohol) (PVA) in different weight ratios (1:3), (1:1) and (3:1) chemically crosslinked by glutaraldehyde in different weight ratios – 1.0 and 5.0% – have been prepared. The prepared hydrogels were characterized via several analysis tools such as: Fourier transform IR (FTIR), X-ray diffraction (XRD), scanning electron microscope ...

As swollen polymer networks in water, hydrogels are usually brittle. However, hydrogels with high toughness play critical roles in many plant and animal tissues as well as in diverse engineering applications. Here we review the intrinsic mechanisms of a wide variety of tough hydrogels developed over the past few decades. We show that tough hydrogels generally possess mechanisms to dissipate sub...

This review presents a critical analysis of covalently and ionically crosslinked chitosan hydrogels and related networks for medical or pharmaceutical applications. The structural basis of these hydrogels is discussed with reference to the specific chemical interactions, which dictate gel formation. The synthesis and chemistry of these hydrogels is discussed using specific pharmaceutical exampl...

Hydrogels have been shown to be very useful in the field of drug delivery due to their high biocompatibility and ability to sustain delivery. Therefore, the tuning of their properties should be the focus of study to optimise their potential. Hydrogels have been generally limited to the delivery of hydrophilic drugs. However, as many of the new drugs coming to market are hydrophobic in nature, n...

Regenerative medicine strategies for restoring articular cartilage face significant challenges to recreate the complex and dynamic biochemical and biomechanical functions of native tissues. As an approach to recapitulate the complexity of the extracellular matrix, collagen-mimetic proteins offer a modular template to incorporate bioactive and biodegradable moieties into a single construct. We m...

Among the natural macromolecules potentially used as the scaffold material in hydrogels, xylan has aroused great interest in many fields because of its biocompatibility, low toxicity, and biodegradability. In this work, new pH and thermoresponsive hydrogels were prepared by the cross-linking polymerization of maleic anhydride-modified xylan (MAHX) with N-isopropylacrylamide (NIPAm) and acrylic ...

The potential of mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) as a viable cell source for cartilage repair hinges on the development of engineered scaffolds that support adequate cartilage tissue formation. Evolving networks (hydrogels with mesh sizes that change over time due to crosslink degradation) may provide the control needed to enhance overall tissue formation when compared to static scaffolds. In thi...

Chitosan-poly(ethylene glycol)-tyramine (CPT) hydrogels were rapidly formed in situ using horseradish peroxidase and hydrogen peroxide to explore their performance as efficient tissue adhesives. A poly(ethylene glycol) modified with tyramine was grafted onto a chitosan backbone to enhance the solubility of the chitosan and to crosslink into three-dimensional networks. The elastic modulus of the...

Rod-shaped cellulose nanocrystals (CNCs) were manufactured and used to reinforce polyacrylamide (PAM) hydrogels through in situ free-radical polymerization. The gelation process of the nanocomposite hydrogels was monitored on a rheometer using oscillatory shear. The chemical structure, morphology, swelling property, and compression strength of the formed gels were investigated. A possible mecha...