In Situ Crosslinking Bionanocomposite Hydrogels with Potential for Wound Healing Applications

Abstract

In situ forming hydrogels are a class of biomaterials that can fulfil a variety of important biomedically relevant functions and hold promise for the emerging field of patient-specific treatments (e.g., cell therapy, drug delivery). Here we report the results of our investigations on the generation of in situ forming hydrogels with potential for wound healing applications (e.g., complex blast injuries). The combination of polysaccharides that were oxidized to display aldehydes, amine displaying chitosan and nanostructured ZnO yields in situ forming bionanocomposite hydrogels. The physicochemical properties of the components, their cytotoxicity towards HaCat cells and the in vitro release of zinc ions on synthetic skin were studied. The in situ gel formation process was complete within minutes, the components were non-toxic towards HaCat cells at functional levels, Zn2+ was released from the gels, and such materials may facilitate wound healing.

Applications ofhydrogel‐baseddelivery systems in wound care and treatment: Anup‐to‐datereview

“…49 Pectin hydrogels loaded with nanostructured ZnO aided in the controlled release of zinc into the skin site with rapid in situ gel-forming ability. 50 Pectin-based hydrogels were employed for the controlled release of antibiotic, cefotaxime. 51 The sustained release of cefotaxime possessed antibacterial activities against common wound pathogens such as S. aureus, E. coli, and P. aeruginosa.…”

“…26 Hyaluronic acid hydrogels loaded with nanostructured ZnO aided in the controlled release of zinc ions onto the skin site and had rapid in situ gel-forming ability. 50 PVA-based hydrogels are extensively used for preparing drugdelivery matrices, cartilage implants, soft contact lenses, temporary skin covers due to their inherent properties of non-toxicity, and non-carcinogenicity. 30 When applied as wound dressings the moist environment maintained facilitates the absorption of exudates from the wound surface when applied as wound dressings.…”

Potential for Chemistry in Multidisciplinary, Interdisciplinary, and Transdisciplinary Teaching Activities in Higher Education

“…involving staff from other departments via experiential learning elements, problem-based and research-based learning activities related to real-world problems. 128,145,279,297 The skills developed while undertaking MITT curricula offer enhanced engagement, learning, and employability; ultimately beneficially impact the economy and society across the developed, developing, and emerging economies of the world; and enable us to deliver on the promises of the UN SDGs. 168−173 ■ ANALYSIS OF THE OUTCOMES OF MITT IN HIGHER/TERTIARY EDUCATION The analysis of the outcomes of MITT in higher education institutions is often qualitative; however, examples of quantitative analysis offer educators insights into what to expect when contemplating new interdisciplinary undertakings (e.g., potential benefits, effect size, etc.).…”

“…Research projects at various points throughout curricula (particularly capstone projects) offer academics an opportunity to contribute to MITT activities in (potentially niche) topics of direct interest to themselves and/or the students (i.e., student-centered learning, which helps students to direct their learning of course material toward an outcome that is directly relevant to them [e.g., project management skills]). − Such MITT research projects embedded in curricula can deliver positive short- and long-term impacts, including increased collaborative research, ,,,,,,− increased research impact, ,,,,,,− increased grant income, ,,,, increased student employability by training the next generation of research-active academics to comfortably work at disciplinary interfaces, ,, societal impact by delivering graduates comfortable in the changing workplace, ,,,, and economic impact by supporting the economies they contribute to (e.g., by generation of intellectual property). ,,,,, Metrics associated with these factors have the potential to make the course and/or university more attractive to students and/or staff, which may have beneficial effects on the student and/or staff demographics, particularly when supported by mentoring initiatives (e.g., the US NSF Research Experience and Mentoring program). ,, …”

A Biocompatible, Stimuli-Responsive, and Injectable Hydrogel with Triple Dynamic Bonds

“…Hydrogels bear a resemblance to extra cellular matrix (ECM) and enable cells to adhere, proliferate and differentiate, resulting from the three-dimensional crosslinked hydrophilic networks, porous framework and high water content [1,2]. Therefore, hydrogels have stood out among other candidates as promising biomaterials, in particular for tissue engineering [3], controlled drug release [4], and wound healing [5].…”