Tissue Engineering Laboratory

Hydrogels are polymers capable of absorbing significant amounts of water without dissolving, while maintaining a defined three-dimensional structure. One of their most important fields of application is the biomedical sector (contact lenses, drug delivery systems, scaffolds, biosensors, etc.).

The Materials Science and Technology group has many years of experience in the synthesis of polymeric hydrogels, in particular hydrogels sensitive to environmental stimuli (temperature, pH, humidity, etc.), superabsorbent hydrogels and hydrogels with superior mechanical properties compared to conventional synthetic hydrogels.

Thanks to the development of a new technique that does not use solvents or blowing agents, innovative polymer systems with high porosity, biodegradability and compatibility have been created. In addition, these systems can be processed with commonly used technologies for polymeric materials and can be used as scaffolds for tissue regeneration. Depending on the requirements, properties such as porosity, stiffness, flexibility, resistance to degradation and hydrophilicity can be modulated and optimised.

The Materials Science and Technology group has experience in the development, thermo-mechanical and functional characterisation of systems for controlled release and delivery of active ingredients, with particular reference to the preparation of biodegradable and/or bioerodible polymer matrices (e.g. PLA, PLGA, PCL and their copolymers, etc.) and to the modification of drugs/proteins/surfaces with soluble polymers (e.g. PEG, PVP, dextran, etc.).