Smart biomaterials and their potential applications in tissue engineering

Abstract

Smart biomaterials have been rapidly advancing ever since the concept of tissue engineering was proposed.

Perspectives on recent advancements in energy harvesting, sensing and bio-medical applications of piezoelectric gels

“…149,150 In this context, hydrogels displaying superior bio-functionality and bio-safety characteristics were explored as promising biomaterials for a multitude of applications such as tissue engineering, bio-sensing, wound-dressing, self-recuperating, health-monitoring, regenerative medicine, drug-delivery systems, artificial contact-lens, bio-adhesives, and biomedical microelectromechanical devices. 151–159 Hydrogels, particularly DNA-based materials, have received a lot of attention due to their high biological recognition, good electrical transport, piezoelectricity properties, and intrinsic biocompatibility. 160–164 For example, Ho and coworkers developed a wound infection sensor comprised of DNA hydrogel, which demonstrated excellent biocompatibility, permittivity tunability, capacitive sensing, wireless and battery-free characteristics making them highly suitable for bio-sensing in clinical technology applications (Fig.…”

Development of double network polyurethane–chitosan composite bioinks for soft neural tissue engineering

“…Several natural hydrogels are employed in 3D bioprinting, such as chitosan, alginate, agarose, and collagen. [25][26][27] In general they lack appropriate mechanical properties and often need chemical modification or crosslinking to enhance their printability. The additional chemical processes may cause cytotoxicity.…”

Piezoelectric biomaterials for neural tissue engineering

“…1 In order to repair damaged nerves, various clinical treatment methods have been adopted, such as end-to-end sutures of injured sites, autologous nerve transplantation, and nerve guidance conduits (NGCs). [2][3][4][5] However, autologous nerve transplantation for lager nerve defect faces challenges including donor nerve shortage and the mismatch between donor and receptor. In contrast, NGCs provide an alternative strategy and a multifunctional platform for clinical treatment of nerve injury.…”

“…Due to the extensive distribution of the nervous system in the human body, the nerve defects resulted from trauma or iatrogenic resection can cause the loss of sensory, motor, and other functions of patients 1 . In order to repair damaged nerves, various clinical treatment methods have been adopted, such as end‐to‐end sutures of injured sites, autologous nerve transplantation, and nerve guidance conduits (NGCs) 2–5 . However, autologous nerve transplantation for lager nerve defect faces challenges including donor nerve shortage and the mismatch between donor and receptor.…”