Symposium EN05 - Electrodes for Chemical and Energy Conversion Technologies
Symposium X—MRS/The Kavli Foundation Frontiers of Materials

Symposium SB07: 3D Bioinspired Biomaterials

Sophia Bailey, Stanford University

A Click-Based Strategy to Customize Polymer–Nanoparticle Hydrogel Properties for Versatile Biomedical Applications

Written by Ethan To

Polymer–nanoparticle (PNP) hydrogels are an exciting material formed by dynamic, supramolecular bridging interactions between polymers and nanoparticles. Previous work has shown great promise utilizing these PNP hydrogels for delivering drugs and cell therapies due to their tunable properties and injectability arising from supramolecular hydrophobic interactions of the hydrogel components. However, while these hydrogels can be effectively tuned by adjusting polymer and nanoparticle concentrations, this approach limits the ability to precisely customize their mechanical properties for broader biomedical applications. Sophia Bailey and colleagues at Stanford University are employing a robust “click” chemistry strategy to modify PNP hydrogels more efficiently. By systematically altering the hydrophobicity and steric character of these polymers, the research team can create hydrogels with tailored mechanical properties that improve cell compatibility, hydrogel lifetime, and drug retention. Furthermore, Bailey demonstrates incorporation of bioactive moieties within the system to optimize cellular interactions. This ongoing work offers a strategy to optimize PNP hydrogels using “click” chemistry for a variety of translational applications and holds particular promise in the highly tunable delivery of pharmaceuticals and cells.

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