Work

Tailoring composite hydrogel performance via controlled integration of norbornene-functionalised Pluronic micelles

Year: 2025

Type: article

Abstract: bioorthogonal thiol-ene crosslinking. The incorporation route dictated network mechanics and dynamics: chemical crosslinking conferred temperature-dependent behaviour and enhanced stress relaxation compared to physical crosslinking, whereas both incorporation routes reduced stiffness relative to neat hydrogels and slowed drug release compared to direct loading. All hydrogels were cytocompatible, and the released doxorubicin retained its bioactivity, reducing cancer cell viability. These findings establish micelle-hydrogel coupling as a versatile design approach for engineering biomaterials with potential in controlled therapeutic delivery and regenerative medicine.

Source: Biomaterials Science

DOI: 10.1039/d5bm01434d

Authors: Nicola Contessi Negrini, Hongning Sun, Adam D. Celiz

Institutions: The Francis Crick Institute, Imperial College London

Language: English

Topic: Hydrogels: synthesis, properties, applications

Subfield: Molecular Medicine

Field: Biochemistry, Genetics and Molecular Biology

Domain: Life Sciences

SDG: Good health and well-being

Open Access status: hybrid

Funders: UK Research and Innovation, Medical Research Council