Biomaterials

3D cell culture has emerged as a pivotal technique for mimicking the natural environment of cells. This method offers a more physiologically relevant context compared to traditional 2D cultures, better enabling the study of cell behavior, drug responses, and disease mechanisms. In this article, we will delve into the pros and cons of various hydrogels used in 3D cell culture and highlight the unique benefits of using PeptiGel.

To reduce the required frequency of drug administration, technologies have been developed to offer prolonged therapeutic effects, minimizing systemic side effects. These technologies are particularly useful for chronic conditions, localized diseases, and situations where continuous protein delivery is beneficial. Technologies that have been developed for sustained, localized release include:

Scaffolds have an important role to play in tissue engineering, as they are a substrate that can be used to mimic the native extracellular matrix (ECM). The properties of scaffolds have also been shown to affect cell behaviour such as cell attachment, differentiation and proliferation.

The extracellular matrix (ECM) is a vital component for the growth and function of any cell. It typically contains a mix of fibrous and non-fibrous proteins such as collagen, laminin and fibronectin, proteoglycans, growth factors and signalling molecules that provide both structural and biochemical support for cells.

Increasing antibiotic resistance amongst pathogens is alarming. Self-assembling peptides (SAPHs) such as PeptiGel are a class of peptides that can spontaneously organize into well-defined structures, such as fibres, gels, or nanoparticles, under certain conditions. When designed to have antimicrobial properties, these peptides can offer several benefits and face various challenges when used as anti-microbial peptides (AMPs).

The extracellular matrix (ECM) is one of the major structural components of the tumour microenvironment, as it is made up of a network of biochemically different components such as fibrous proteins, glycoproteins, proteoglycans and polysaccharides. This makes its structure highly dynamic with various ECM components being deposited, modified or degraded on a regular basis, and the structure undergoing constant remodelling.

In a technology breakthrough utilizing both PODS and PeptiGel, researchers at the University of California in San Diego have used a microfluidic approach to accurately generate vestibular nerve cells to improve electrical vestibular stimulation (EVS) prosthetic outcomes.

Depot formulations combine an active substance with an excipient to provide controlled release of the active substance over a sustained period of time. Burst release is uncontrolled release which occurs when a large proportion of the active substance in a depot formulation is rapidly released in the first few minutes and hours. Following burst release, a more constant, slow release is then achieved.

Interest in the field of three-dimensional (3D) bioprinting has increased enormously over the past ten years, thanks in no small part to its ability to precisely place different biomaterials, biomolecules and cell types together in a predefined position to generate printed composite architectures.

Cell therapy is an approach that is being used by many researchers to treat a variety of injuries and diseases. However, there are some challenges associated with it, such as the low rate of cell survival and the uncontrolled differentiation of the injected stem cells. But these are challenges that the use of hydrogels can potentially help to overcome.