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Model-based modular hydrogel design

Nature Reviews Bioengineering (2024)Cite this article

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Abstract

Hydrogels — water-insoluble, three-dimensional networks of polymer chains — are used as biomaterials in various biomedical and clinical applications. Their modularity and versatility have led to the development of increasingly complex hydrogels, which can dynamically respond to their environment, release drugs and regenerate cells and tissues. In this Review, we present a model-based modular hydrogel design framework that is application-driven and considers clinical translation early in the design process. In this approach, every component of the hydrogel formulation is optimized towards multifaceted design criteria of the target application, identifying how multiple properties can be integrated into a single formulation. We highlight the fundamental models of polymer physics that provide the basis of modular hydrogel design and examine how synthetic polymer precursors can be integrated to achieve such modularity. Finally, we discuss clinically approved hydrogel formulations, and investigate how challenges in clinical translation may be addressed by a modular design approach.

Key points

  • Hydrogels can be applied as biomaterials for various applications, benefiting from their versatility, their mechanical and structural properties, and their modularity.

  • The clinical translation of hydrogels may be accelerated by a model-driven modular design approach, considering how modular changes affect multiple structure–property interactions.

  • Modular components can be consistently incorporated into hydrogels using fundamental models to optimize their multiple properties.

  • Theoretical models need to be refined to predict relevant properties of hydrogels, and validated with a diverse dataset of well characterized and newly designed hydrogels.

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Fig. 1: Addressing clinical translational challenges of hydrogels.
Fig. 2: Iterative cycle for model-based modular hydrogel design.

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Acknowledgements

This work was supported by the Office of the Dean of the Cockrell School of Engineering at The University of Texas at Austin for the Institute for Biomaterials, Drug Delivery and Regenerative Medicine.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Biomedical Engineering, The University of Texas at Austin, Austin, TX, USA

    Nathan Richbourg, J. Jesus Rodriguez-Cruz & Nicholas A. Peppas

  2. Institute for Biomaterials, Drug Delivery, and Regenerative Medicine, The University of Texas at Austin, Austin, TX, USA

    Nathan Richbourg, J. Jesus Rodriguez-Cruz & Nicholas A. Peppas

  3. Department of Biomedical Engineering and Chemical Engineering, The University of Texas at San Antonio, San Antonio, TX, USA

    Marissa E. Wechsler

  4. Department of Chemical Engineering, The University of Texas at Austin, Austin, TX, USA

    Nicholas A. Peppas

  5. Division of Molecular Pharmaceutics and Drug Delivery, College of Pharmacy, The University of Texas at Austin, Austin, TX, USA

    Nicholas A. Peppas

  6. Department of Surgery and Perioperative Care, Dell Medical School, The University of Texas at Austin, Austin, TX, USA

    Nicholas A. Peppas

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  1. Nathan Richbourg
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Richbourg, N., Wechsler, M.E., Rodriguez-Cruz, J.J. et al. Model-based modular hydrogel design. Nat Rev Bioeng (2024). https://doi.org/10.1038/s44222-024-00167-4

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