Biomimetic hydrogels for controlled biomolecule delivery to augment bone regeneration

Biomimetic hydrogels for controlled biomolecule delivery to augment bone regeneration

Philipp S. Lienemann a,b, Matthias P. Lutolf b, Martin Ehrbar a,c,⁎ 

http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0169409X12001068 

This quote from the review summarizes it very well:

"In an ideal situation, the localized delivery of growth factors should present physiologically relevant doses and preserve its activity for prolonged periods of time. Moreover, carrier materials should facilitate the communication with cells of the host so as to be actively involved in the process of regeneration. Synthetic hydrogels, highly swollen three-dimensional (3D) networks of macromolecules, have emerged as powerful candidate biomaterials to fulfil these requirement." 

As indicated in the image below, the focus is on hydrogels that can serve as extracellular matrix mimics.  Embedded in the hydrogel, either covalently or not, are growth factors.