Supramolecular Biomaterials in the Netherlands

Abstract

Synthetically designed biomaterials strive to recapitulate and mimic the complex environment of natural systems. Using natural materials as a guide, the ability to create high-performance biomaterials that control cell fate, and support the next generation of cell-and tissue-based therapeutics, is starting to emerge. Supramolecular chemistry takes inspiration from the wealth of noncovalent interactions found in natural materials that are inherently complex, and using the skills of synthetic and polymer chemistry, recreates simple systems to imitate their features. Within the past decade, supramolecular biomaterials have shown utility in tissue engineering and the progress predicts a bright future. On this 30th anniversary of the Netherlands Biomaterials and Tissue Engineering society, we briefly recount the state of supramolecular biomaterials in the Dutch academic and industrial research and development context. This review provides the background, recent advances, industrial successes and challenges, as well as future directions of the field, as we see it. Throughout this work, we notice the intricate interplay between simplicity and complexity in creating more advanced solutions. We hope that the interplay and juxtaposition between these two forces can propel the field forward.

Celebrating 30 Years of Netherlands Society for Biomaterials and Tissue Engineering: Past, Present, and Future

“…Researchers from similar fields but different universities were invited to join forces and write a comprehensive review that would not only reminisce on the past but also elaborate on new exciting directions in the field. Topics range from nanobiomaterials 4 to biointerface engineering, 5 supramolecular biomaterials, 6 hydrogels as injectables, 7 and even extending to computational modeling 8 where perhaps in the future all biomaterials-related research could be done in silico.…”

In Situ Covalent Reinforcement of a Benzene‐1,3,5‐Tricarboxamide Supramolecular Polymer Enables Biomimetic, Tough, and Fibrous Hydrogels and Bioinks

“…Supramolecular chemistry has rapidly advanced, enabling the rational design of hierarchical and functional materials (vaccines, drug delivery, biomaterials [28][29][30][31] ). Collagen has served as an inspiration to the supramolecular chemist, and classic studies show our ability to partially recreate its structure from synthetic components.…”

Anisotropicity and flexibility in trilayered microfibrous substrates promote heart valve leaflet tissue engineering

“…Due to the rapid biodegradation of PGA or PLGA scaffolds, investigators first developed in vitro tissue-engineered heart valves with those scaffolds before implanting them in a sheep model to find their efficacies [11]. PU/PC copolymer scaffolds were developed for heart valve tissue engineering for their elasticity and biocompatibility provided by the PU and PC, respectively [12]. However, these copolymers needed hydrolysable groups added to their polymer chains to be biodegradable.…”