Polysaccharide-based Injectable Smart Hydrogels

Abstract

Polysaccharides, being the most widely available and naturally occurring macromolecular polymer groups, represent a sustainable source for development of advanced hydrogel technologies. This chapter examines the status and future directions of injectable polysaccharide-based hydrogels and the role in which smart functions may contribute to the development of advanced injectable polysaccharide-based hydrogels for biomedical and tissue engineering applications. The goal of these injectable hydrogels is to provide a minimally invasive delivery system for both acellular and cellular deliveries, in which the final form mimics the mechanical and mass transport properties of the natural tissue into which it is delivered. Additional benefits can be provided by the hydrogel matrix in terms of delivery of bioactive components to modulate the immune and cellular responses, to encourage angiogenesis and native tissue recovery. Optimisation of the mechanical properties, permeability, injectability and bioactivity of smart injectable hydrogels is, therefore, critical to development of future tissue engineering therapies and polysaccharides provide an ideal platform on which to deliver those goals.