Injectable biomaterials such as cryogels that allow controlled delivery of therapeutic agents or cell therapies could minimize complications associated with surgical implantation. Bencherif et al. describe a strategy that enabled the delivery of loaded cryogels using conventional needle and syringe injection. Injection of cryogels to mice enabled sustained release of granulocyte–macrophage colony-stimulating factor, and cryogels loaded with cells and a cell adhesion peptide (as a model for cell transplantation) promoted cell survival, local retention and engraftment of transplanted cells.
ORIGINAL RESEARCH PAPER
Bencherif, S. A. et al. Injectable preformed scaffolds with shape-memory properties. Proc. Natl Acad. Sci. USA 109, 19590–19595 (2012)
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Harrison, C. Injectable biomaterials. Nat Rev Drug Discov 12, 24 (2013). https://doi.org/10.1038/nrd3935
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1038/nrd3935