Composite Hydrogels for Biomedical Applications

Dear Colleagues,

Hydrogels have gained significant scientific attention in tissue engineering and drug delivery processes due to their unique properties. They possess a three-dimensional cross-linked network and the ability to swell in an aqueous medium or physiological fluids. Hydrogels appear to be suitable drug delivery platforms due to their biocompatibility and adaptability. The adequate choice of polymer governs the structure and properties of the hydrogel and can thus provide stimuli responsiveness, tailoring the drug release profiles. Composite hydrogels refer to systems prepared either by a mixture of polymers or hydrogels embedding different nanocarriers. The incorporation of nanocarriers within the hydrogels offers limitless opportunities for the improvement of desired characteristics. The nanoparticles offer a number of advantageous properties, such as a high drug loading, the improvement of bioavailability for drugs with limited aqueous solubility, better targeting and cell internalization, providing stability for problematic substances, etc. Due to their versatile and tunable properties, the composite hydrogels offer the necessary conditions for potential biomedical applications, including drug administration via various routes (oral, dermal, parenteral, ocular, etc.) or other medical disorders (wound healing, chemotherapeutics, tissue engineering, etc.). Nevertheless, we lack thorough understandings of the mechanisms, interactions, and applicability of such composite hydrogel-based drug delivery systems.

Therefore, this Special Issue aims at collecting the most recent scientific progress in the development of composite hydrogels. Original research articles, comprehensive reviews, short communications, and perspectives, with topics addressing—but not limited to—the key findings and contributions on composite hydrogels, including preparation methods, characterization (in vitro and in vivo), and biomedical applications, are welcomed.

Dr. Marta Slavkova
Dr. Marieta Constantin
Guest Editors

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• hydrogels
• drug delivery
• composite hydrogels
• gel characterization
• biomedical application
• wound healing
• tissue engineering