Articles tagged with Hydrogels
Researchers at ETH Zurich are studying the Atlantic hagfish's remarkable slime to understand its structure, properties, and formation process. The slime, composed of protein threads and mucin, can immobilize vast amounts of water, making it a potential inspiration for creating novel super hydrogels with numerous applications.
Researchers developed a process to create a water-loving polymer with structure, opening up possibilities for artificial blood vessels and soft tissue-like mechanical properties. This breakthrough addresses the challenge of balancing hydrogel's water-loving nature with the need for crystallinity.
Researchers have developed a novel microencapsulation method using seaweed-derived hydrogel to protect pancreatic islets from ice damage during transplantation. The technique facilitates real-time cell viability assessments and reduces the need for cryoprotectants, promoting a more effective and safer treatment approach.
Researchers created a mechanically durable hydrogel using an elastic silk-like protein called aneroin, which has improved mechanical properties compared to collagen and silkworm silk. The aneroin hydrogel provided an adequate environment for cell growth, proliferating mammalian cells with healthy morphology.
Researchers at MIT have developed a stretchy hydrogel material that can incorporate temperature sensors, LED lights, and drug-delivering reservoirs. The hydrogel can sense changes in skin temperature and release medicine as needed, making it a potential treatment for burns or other skin conditions.
Researchers at UT Austin developed a self-healing gel that repairs and connects electronic circuits without external stimuli. The gel has high conductivity, strong mechanical and electrical self-healing properties, and can be used as a soft joint to join circuit parts.
Engineers at MIT developed a synthetic hydrogel that is 90 percent water and has a toughness comparable to the bond between tendon and cartilage on bone. The hydrogel can adhere to surfaces like glass, silicon, and metal with high durability, making it suitable for protective coatings and biomedical devices.
A new peptide-based hydrogel has been developed by University of Delaware researchers to facilitate microsurgery. The hydrogel can be tuned with a specific amino acid to change form several times during a procedure, allowing precise control and reducing damage to tiny blood vessels.
Researchers identify reversible phase transitions in FUS protein, leading to aggregation and trapping of other proteins. Disrupting these assemblies can rescue impaired motility and prolong lifespan in ALS models.
A team of researchers from SISSA investigated the mechanism behind biological tissues' resistance to external strain, discovering that cracks appear in multiple places rather than one. This study aims to create artificial materials with similar features for biomedical applications.
Rice University scientists have developed a nanofiber hydrogel infused with snake venom that can stop bleeding within seconds, even in the presence of anti-coagulants. The material, called SB50, has great potential to treat surgical bleeding in patients taking heparin or other anti-coagulant drugs.
Scientists have developed a new hydrogel coating that can neutralize both mustard gas and nerve agent VX in under 20 minutes. This breakthrough could lead to the creation of protective clothing and paints that safeguard against chemical warfare agents.
Tufts University researchers developed a new method to create high-resolution, 3D structures in silk protein hydrogels using low-energy ultrafast laser technology. The technique allows for scalable patterning of pores and channels with diameters between 10 and 400 microns.
Researchers at the University of Pittsburgh have developed a new method for identifying pathogens using spectroscopy and protein hydrogels. This technique allows for rapid detection and identification of specific pathogens, enabling targeted antibiotic treatment and reducing the risk of misdiagnosis. The broader implications of this wo...
Researchers have created a unique antenna that collects unused blue photons from sunlight, converting them into usable energy for silicon-based solar cells. This innovation has the potential to significantly increase solar cell efficiency, making them more affordable and environmentally sustainable.
Researchers develop a targeted hydrogel that binds to inflamed tissue, releasing medicine slowly over time. The gel reduces inflammation and minimizes systemic side effects in preclinical models of IBD.
Researchers at NYU Engineering have developed protein-engineered hydrogels that can replicate biochemical processes found in nature. These biomimetic materials could be used for wound healing and sensing applications.
A team of scientists from RIKEN has developed a new hydrogel that can stretch and contract in response to temperature changes without absorbing or excreting water. The material's unique property allows it to change shape rapidly and efficiently, making it suitable for practical applications such as artificial muscles.
A new microchip design captures circulating tumor cells for serial analysis, while a 3D hydrogel scaffold enables retrieval and in vitro growth promotion. The technology also facilitates xenograft models in immunodeficient mice, offering a promising approach to personalized cancer therapies.
A polymer hydrogel material alters capillary forces, creating a 'stick-slip' control of water entry into microtubes. This enables precise control of fluid flow and could enable applications such as controlled drug release and precise reaction timing.
Duke University researchers created a method to enhance tumor-frying nanoparticles with chemotherapeutic coatings, releasing drugs in heated tissue. The technique combines photothermal therapy with localized drug delivery, potentially increasing effectiveness.
A team of bioengineers at Brigham and Women's Hospital developed a new protein-based gel that mimics the properties of elastic tissue when exposed to light. The gel can be controlled in its swelling and strength, making it suitable for various applications such as regenerating cells or creating a barrier over wounds.
Researchers at Carnegie Mellon University developed two novel methods to characterize 3-dimensional macroporous hydrogels, a promising material for creating responsive catalysts and tissue engineering scaffolds. The team successfully visualized the reversible porous structure within these materials using noninvasive X-ray microscopy.
A team of researchers has developed a hydrogel that can protect sensitive catalysts from oxygen-caused damage, making it possible to create efficient and affordable hydrogen fuel cells. The hydrogel acts as both solvent and protective environment, allowing the catalysts to remain functional even in high-oxygen concentrations.
Researchers developed a gel filled with toxin-absorbing nanosponges that effectively treat skin and wound infections caused by MRSA without using antibiotics. The treatment keeps bacterial toxins under control, allowing the immune system to kill the bacteria more easily.
Scientists at University of Toronto have made breakthroughs in cell transplantation using hydrogel biomaterials, showing potential for partially restoring vision and aiding brain recovery from stroke. The new gel-like material boosts cell survival and integration in the eye and brain, paving the way for stem-cell-based therapies.
A novel, truly biocompatible alginate hydrogel has been developed using 'click chemistry' that can be synthesized quickly and reliably. The gel is designed to release drugs or cells in a controlled manner, making it suitable for applications such as wound healing and tumor treatment.
Rice University and Texas Children's Hospital scientists successfully used amniotic stem cells to promote blood vessel growth in hydrogels, enhancing tissue repair for infants with birth defects. The study paves the way for biocompatible patches for congenital heart defects.
Researchers have developed new 3D designs for reconstructing damaged neural tissue using stem cells grown on nanofiber scaffolding within a supportive hydrogel. The approach guides neural connections, acting like a roadmap for cell growth and function.
Researchers have developed a method to embed patterned nanofibers in 3D hydrogel structures, guiding neurite outgrowth along the nanofibers. This technique enhances neurite length and can be used to replicate complex neural structures, offering potential for restoring damaged cells in the nervous system.
Scientists have developed a new shape-shifting probe that can detect and measure localized conditions on the molecular scale deep within tissues. The device, called geometrically encoded magnetic sensors (GEMs), uses radio frequency signals to identify changes in resonance frequencies caused by shape-changing agents.
Researchers at Arizona State University have developed a novel method capable of mimicking Nature's ability to sort, capture, transport and release molecules. This technique sets the stage for continuous and efficient manipulation of a range of molecules relevant to human and environmental health.
Researchers found that hydrogels saturated with thiamethoxam dissolved in sugar water reduced the Argentine ant population by 94% in two weeks. The use of hydrogel baits offers an inexpensive, easy-to-apply alternative to traditional pesticides, reducing environmental costs and selectively targeting invasive ants.
A team of scientists has developed flexible, microscopic hand-like grippers that can perform remotely guided surgical procedures and biopsies. The microhands use hydrogels and magnetic nanoparticles to provide energy and control, enabling the creation of biodegradable, miniaturized surgical tools.
Researchers have created a new hydrogel that can be injected into wounds, forming scaffolds that help them heal quickly. The material promotes angiogenesis, the growth of blood vessels, which is essential for tissue repair and reduces the risk of complications.
Researchers develop new hydrogel with electrostatic repulsion properties, inspired by articular cartilage and maglev trains. The material easily deforms under shear forces but resists compressive forces.
Researchers developed a new continuous glucose monitoring material that changes color as glucose levels fluctuate, offering higher sensitivity and precision than current point measurements. The color-changing material is simple, low-cost to manufacture, and can be used for short-term monitoring of patients in intensive care units.
A thermosensitive collagen hydrogel was used as an extracellular matrix to construct tissue-engineered peripheral nerve composites in vitro. The results showed that seeded cells maintained larger numbers and were well-distributed throughout the material, improving the construction of tissue-engineered peripheral nerves.
A new stimuli-responsive drug delivery system has been developed to prevent transplant rejection by delivering immunosuppressant drugs locally and when prompted. The system reduces toxicity and improves therapeutic outcomes, offering a paradigm shift in clinical immunosuppressive therapy.
Research by bioengineers at UC San Diego reveals that the stiffness of the extracellular matrix is a key factor in guiding stem cells towards specific cell types. The study found that varying the stiffness of the hydrogel had no effect on the differentiation process, ruling out protein binding as a crucial factor.
Researchers develop a novel fuel cell design that protects sensitive catalysts using a redox hydrogel. This shield prevents deactivation caused by oxygen and extreme electrical potentials, allowing for efficient and long-term energy conversion. The breakthrough has major implications for the development of sustainable energy solutions.
A University of Rochester research team has created a technique that keeps stem cells in place, resulting in faster and better tissue regeneration. The key is encasing the stem cells in polymers that attract water and disappear when their work is done.
A new method of wormlike motion allows gels to swim in water, expanding their potential applications as environmental and biotechnological tools. This breakthrough was achieved by a UC undergraduate student with the help of his advisers, enabling soft materials to explore new areas such as surface waters or cavities inside the human body.
Researchers at Brigham and Women's Hospital have successfully fabricated blood vessels using 3D bioprinting technology, addressing a critical challenge in tissue engineering. The approach involves printing agarose fibers that become the blood vessel channels, allowing for physical removal of template layers and improved cell viability.
Researchers created a thermogelling hydrogel that turns from liquid to semisolid at body temperature and then degrades as new bone forms, filling the space left by the original gel.
Researchers at Rice University have developed a synthetic collagen, KOD, that mimics the body's natural collagen to promote natural clotting and heal surgical wounds. Lab tests showed KOD hydrogel traps red blood cells to stop bleeding and binds platelets to form clots, improving upon commercial hemostats.
Researchers at Harvard Medical School and University of Sydney develop elastic hydrogel-based cardiac tissue that beats in synchrony with natural heart muscle. The breakthrough could lead to repairing damaged hearts without organ transplants, revolutionizing the treatment for millions worldwide.
Researchers have created a hydrogel actuator that can change shape in response to changes in pH, using mussel protein-inspired chemistry. The device has the potential to be used for drug delivery and could be programmed to adopt various shapes by adjusting the placement of ions, composition, and voltage.
Researchers at UD developed a smart hydrogel that delivers medicine in response to mechanical force, reducing inflammation and pain in osteoarthritis. Preliminary results indicate biocompatibility and potential applications beyond osteoarthritis.
Researchers at Duke University have created a composite material with properties similar to those of native cartilage, which could lead to improved artificial replacement tissues. The new material combines the strength and suppleness of native cartilage, addressing previous challenges in replicating its mechanical properties.
Researchers have developed a hydrogel scaffold that solidifies into a gel at body temperature, providing a platform for functional and aesthetic tissue regeneration. The material is intended as an alternative to prefabricated implantable scaffolds and can be injected to the point of need.
A new study from Cornell University proposes that clay hydrogel could have confined and protected chemical processes that formed proteins, DNA, and eventually living cells. Researchers demonstrated protein synthesis in a clay hydrogel, which enhances protein production and offers a promising possibility for producing large quantities o...
Scientists have created an implantable hydrogel that can deliver a light signal to specific tissues deep within the body, enabling photomedicine to treat brain disorders. The system uses genetically engineered cells that respond to light, and has shown promising results in mice with diabetes.
Scientists at Case Western Reserve University have developed a method to create three-dimensional gradients of signals that guide stem cell behavior. The system can help discern recipes for tissue and organ repair and replacements by controlling the spatial presentation of growth factors, physical triggers, and adhesion ligands.
Researchers at Harvard University developed a programmable DNA glue that directs tiny gel bricks to self-assemble into complex structures. The method could help solve tissue engineering challenges by creating injectable components that self-assemble into biocompatible scaffolds.
IBN's novel technique allows researchers to incorporate different cell types into separate fibers, then assemble them into complex constructs with hierarchical tissue structures. This innovation enables the creation of prevascularized tissue constructs that have successfully integrated with the host circulatory system in a mouse model.
Researchers have developed a technique to pattern and actuate hydrogel materials, enabling the creation of soft robotic devices with potential biomedical applications. The devices can manipulate objects using electrically assisted ionoprinting, opening new possibilities for drug delivery and tissue scaffolding.
The Pitt research team demonstrated that hydrogels can be reconfigured and controlled by light, undergoing self-sustained motion. This biomimetic behavior has significant implications in the medical arena, potentially leading to new devices and technologies.
A team of engineers has developed a three-dimensional hydrogel that more closely mimics the properties of brain tissues, allowing researchers to selectively tune up or down the malignancy of cancer cells. By adding hyaluronic acid, they found that glioma cells exhibited reduced or enhanced malignancy in different materials.
A new method for improving blood supply to engineered replacement tissues uses laminin-derived peptides in hydrogels, which stimulates the growth of microvascular networks. This technology was tested in a mouse cornea transplant and showed successful cell growth and blood vessel formation.