Summary:
Researchers in the Department of Dentistry at UCLA have developed an innovative hydrogel for a vast array of biomedical and tissue engineering applications.
Background:
Hydrogels have emerged as powerful tools in biomedical engineering due to their ability to provide a supportive environment for cell growth, tissue repair, and drug delivery. The extracellular matrix (ECM) is a complex, dynamic network that regulates various cellular activities, such as migration, proliferation, and differentiation, all of which are essential for tissue regeneration. However, most current hydrogels are static in nature and cannot fully replicate the adaptive and responsive properties of the natural ECM, limiting their effectiveness in promoting complex cellular functions. This poses a significant challenge, especially in applications like tissue engineering, where the material must support evolving cellular behaviors. The need for hydrogels that can better mirror the dynamic environment of tissues is driving research toward more advanced biomaterials that can respond to environmental changes, making them more suitable for therapeutic use in regenerative medicine, wound healing, and drug delivery. The development of such dynamic materials holds the potential to significantly improve patient outcomes and expand the capabilities of modern medicine.
Innovation:
To address these limitations, UCLA researchers have developed a cutting-edge supramolecular hydrogel that closely mimics how cells naturally interact with their environment. This hydrogel operates using a "Host-Guest" mechanism, where two molecules—β-cyclodextrin and adamantane—form and break bonds dynamically. This dynamic bonding allows the gel to reshape in response to cell movements, promoting better cell spreading, growth, and differentiation. The hydrogel’s rigidity can be tuned for different applications by incorporating either static or covalent bonds. Moreover, it can adjust to environmental changes such as temperature and pH, making it highly versatile. Compared to conventional hydrogels, this dynamic version offers greater adaptability, strength, and suitability for medical applications, including drug delivery, wound healing, and tissue engineering. Its unique capabilities make it a promising tool for advancing stem cell therapies, tissue regeneration, and precise drug delivery, addressing key challenges in regenerative medicine and other biomedical fields.
Potential Applications:
• Tissue engineering and regenerative medicine
• Localized drug delivery
• Wound healing tissue regeneration
• Cosmetics and personal care for skin hydration or slow release of active ingredients
Advantages:
• Adaptability to surrounding environment
• Improved strength and durability
• Biocompatible and biodegradable
• Tissue-like properties mimicking the natural extracellular matric
State of Development:
The inventors have successfully completed lab tests in which this hydrogel supported growth of dental pulp stem cells and their transformation into neuron-like and bone-forming cells.
Reference:
UCLA Case No. 2023-154
Lead Inventor:
Alireza Moshaverinia, UCLA Professor of Dentistry