Synthetic Polymer-Based Hydrogels for Tissue Engineering

Abstract

Hydrogels are a type of biomaterial that are made up of water and a polymer network. They are often used in tissue engineering because they offer numerous advantages, including tunable mechanical properties and higher water content. Synthetic polymers play a vital role in the development of hydrogels for tissue engineering. Synthetic polymers such as poly(glycolic acid) (PGA), poly(lactic-co-glycolic acid) (PLGA), and poly(lactic acid) (PLA) are commonly used to make hydrogel scaffolds that can deliver drug or bioactive factors to promote cell growth, differentiation, and angiogenesis. By incorporating bioactive factors into synthetic polymer matrices, controlled release can be achieved to regulate these cellular processes. Overall, synthetic polymers offer a broad range of potential applications in tissue engineering. The ability to design and engineer synthetic polymers with desired characteristics has paved the way for advancements in tissue regeneration, wound healing, organ transplantation, and drug delivery systems. However, challenges such as in vivo biocompatibility, immunogenicity, and long-term stability of synthetic polymers need to be addressed to fully harness their potential in tissue engineering applications. © The Editor(s) (if applicable) and The Author(s), under exclusive license to Springer Nature Singapore Pte Ltd. 2024.