Analyzing the Effects of Silica Nanospheres on the Sol–Gel Transition Profile of Thermosensitive Hydrogels

Langmuir ◽  
2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Lucas S. Ribeiro ◽  
Renata L. Sala ◽  
Leticia A. O. de Jesus ◽  
Sandra A. Cruz ◽  
Emerson R. Camargo
Gels ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 7 (3) ◽  
pp. 78
Author(s):  
Malik Salman Haider ◽  
Taufiq Ahmad ◽  
Mengshi Yang ◽  
Chen Hu ◽  
Lukas Hahn ◽  
...  

As one kind of “smart” material, thermogelling polymers find applications in biofabrication, drug delivery and regenerative medicine. In this work, we report a thermosensitive poly(2-oxazoline)/poly(2-oxazine) based diblock copolymer comprising thermosensitive/moderately hydrophobic poly(2-N-propyl-2-oxazine) (pPrOzi) and thermosensitive/moderately hydrophilic poly(2-ethyl-2-oxazoline) (pEtOx). Hydrogels were only formed when block length exceeded certain length (≈100 repeat units). The tube inversion and rheological tests showed that the material has then a reversible sol-gel transition above 25 wt.% concentration. Rheological tests further revealed a gel strength around 3 kPa, high shear thinning property and rapid shear recovery after stress, which are highly desirable properties for extrusion based three-dimensional (3D) (bio) printing. Attributed to the rheology profile, well resolved printability and high stackability (with added laponite) was also possible. (Cryo) scanning electron microscopy exhibited a highly porous, interconnected, 3D network. The sol-state at lower temperatures (in ice bath) facilitated the homogeneous distribution of (fluorescently labelled) human adipose derived stem cells (hADSCs) in the hydrogel matrix. Post-printing live/dead assays revealed that the hADSCs encapsulated within the hydrogel remained viable (≈97%). This thermoreversible and (bio) printable hydrogel demonstrated promising properties for use in tissue engineering applications.


1994 ◽  
Vol 91 ◽  
pp. 901-908 ◽  
Author(s):  
H Zanni ◽  
P Nieto ◽  
L Fernandez ◽  
R Couty ◽  
P Barret ◽  
...  

Gels ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 7 (2) ◽  
pp. 36
Author(s):  
Emanuele Mauri ◽  
Sara Maria Giannitelli ◽  
Marcella Trombetta ◽  
Alberto Rainer

Nanogels represent an innovative platform for tunable drug release and targeted therapy in several biomedical applications, ranging from cancer to neurological disorders. The design of these nanocarriers is a pivotal topic investigated by the researchers over the years, with the aim to optimize the procedures and provide advanced nanomaterials. Chemical reactions, physical interactions and the developments of engineered devices are the three main areas explored to overcome the shortcomings of the traditional nanofabrication approaches. This review proposes a focus on the current techniques used in nanogel design, highlighting the upgrades in physico-chemical methodologies, microfluidics and 3D printing. Polymers and biomolecules can be combined to produce ad hoc nanonetworks according to the final curative aims, preserving the criteria of biocompatibility and biodegradability. Controlled polymerization, interfacial reactions, sol-gel transition, manipulation of the fluids at the nanoscale, lab-on-a-chip technology and 3D printing are the leading strategies to lean on in the next future and offer new solutions to the critical healthcare scenarios.


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