Researchers at the University of Padua in Italy have developed a novel hydrogel-in-hydrogel live bioprinting approach that enables the dynamic fabrication of instructive hydrogel elements within pre-existing hydrogel-based organ-like cultures. This new approach could open up a broad range of potential applications, including cancer treatment and regeneration of liver and lungs.
The new method requires the diffusion of the photosensitive polymer within the pre-existing 3D biological construct, allowing temporal and spatial design and guidance of 3D structures for targeting specific time windows and/or cell types in 3D cultures.
Dr Peter Harrop, CEO of Zhar Research commented on the new discovery, “Hydrogels are the chemical family closest to human tissue and most likely to be both self-healing and biocompatible. Their virtuosity is seen from shape-memory injectables to medical cooling and contact lenses.” He added “Researchers are making excellent progress in tackling some remaining limitations of hydrogels. They include the fact that although popular versions are non-toxic some are toxigen intermediaries: they have toxic precursors and breakdown products that cannot be removed from soil. Some are expensive to make or are not sufficiently long-lived for certain required applications. Most are mechanically weak, particularly when allowed to dehydrate, and this is not always a good thing. Partly because of this, hydrogels are increasingly competing with or combined with silicones and polyurethanes. Both of those are currently larger value markets than the market for hydrogels.”
Researchers at the University of Padua in Italy have developed a novel hydrogel-in-hydrogel live bioprinting approach that could revolutionize the field of 3D organ-like cultures. This new approach enables the dynamic fabrication of instructive hydrogel elements within pre-existing hydrogel-based 3D structures, allowing temporal and spatial design and guidance of 3D structures for targeting specific time windows and/or cell types.
The potential applications of the new approach are wide-ranging, from cancer treatment to the regeneration of liver and lungs. Dr Peter Harrop, CEO of Zhar Research, commented on the discovery, highlighting the potential of hydrogels, “Hydrogels are the chemical family closest to human tissue and most likely to be both self-healing and biocompatible. Their virtuosity is seen from shape-memory injectables to medical cooling and contact lenses.” He concluded, “Partly because of this, hydrogels are increasingly competing with or combined with silicones and polyurethanes. Both of those are currently larger value markets than the market for hydrogels.”
A new report from Zhar Research titled “Hydrogels: Future Technologies and Markets 2024-2044” covers two new branches of materials science – elastomer hydrogel systems (EHS) and engineered living materials (ELM). The report details the needs and solutions for cooling, self-healing, tissue engineering, bone regeneration, skin regeneration, restored vision, overcoming paralysis, smart prosthetics and injected hydrogels.
For those specifically interested in self-healing materials in healthcare, there is a new Zhar Research report titled “Self-Healing Healthcare Material Markets, Technology: 2024-2044”. An introductory webinar called “Self-Healing Materials: Big Markets 2024-2044” is also available on www.zharresearch.com.
Researchers at the University of Padua in Italy have developed a novel hydrogel-in-hydrogel live bioprinting approach that has the potential to revolutionize 3D organ-like cultures. This new method enables the dynamic fabrication of instructive hydrogel elements within pre-existing hydrogel-based 3D structures, allowing temporal and spatial design and guidance of 3D structures for targeting specific time windows and/or cell types.
The potential applications of the new approach are wide-ranging, from cancer treatment to the regeneration of liver and lungs. Dr Peter Harrop, CEO of Zhar Research, commented on the discovery, highlighting the potential of hydrogels, “Hydrogels are the chemical family closest to human tissue and most likely to be both self-healing and biocompatible. Their virtuosity is seen from shape-memory injectables to medical cooling and contact lenses.” He concluded, “Partly because of this, hydrogels are increasingly competing with or combined with silicones and polyurethanes. Both of those are currently larger value markets than the market for hydrogels.”
A new report from Zhar Research titled “Hydrogels: Future
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