Biomaterials

When you think about 3D cell culture, you probably think about Matrigel, after all, it is the current market leader in 3D cell culture. Matrigel does have limitations, however, which is something that Cell Guidance Systems are tackling with a fully synthetic alternative. This blog article will discuss the differences between Matrigel and PeptiGels, fully synthetic (and 100% animal-free) and the benefits you can expect from each.

Hydrogels are being increasingly for a wide range of biomedical applications including cell culture, drug delivery, tissue engineering and wound healing. This research has opened up new opportunities to provide materials that are triggerable and tuneable.

Although there are some challenges associated with using hydrogels for drug delivery systems, there has been considerable progress in recent years.

Many components of the biotechnology and medical toolbox have their origins in pathogenic microorganisms. These have been adapted to generate useful tools and therapies for research and medicine. Now, Caf1 proteins, also known as Cytotoxic Associated Factor 1, a group of proteins with pathogenic origins are emerging as a new building block due to their unique properties and potential applications in fields including medicine, biotechnology, and bioengineering.

Hydrogels are three-dimensional, hydrophilic polymeric networks capable of absorbing large amounts of water or biological fluids. Due to their unique properties, such as high water content, biocompatibility, and tunable mechanical properties, hydrogels have emerged as a promising material for various biomedical applications, including drug delivery. In recent years, hydrogels have gained significant attention as drug carriers due to their ability to encapsulate and release a wide range of therapeutic agents, including small molecules, proteins, and nucleic acids. Here we take a look at the role of hydrogels in drug delivery.

Immune reactions are a hazard of protein drug development. Why are some foreign proteins such as silk and botulinum toxin (Botox) tolerated when other proteins are not?

Tissue development and homeostasis relies on the availability of spatiotemporal reference points provided by localized variations in physical and chemical parameters. These create gradients along which cells can move and be maintained. Durotaxis is a less well-known but important mechanism by which cells move along a gradient of elasticity (stiffness).

Increasingly, the key roles of biophysical cues in modulating stem cell response have been studied in vitro. Based on the ability of cells to actively sense and react to their microenvironment through mechanotransduction systems, these studies have shown that the growth and differentiation of stem cells can be controlled—even in the absence of biochemical stimuli such as growth factors. These reports further suggest that the stimulation delivered by biophysical cues actually have advantages over biochemical stimuli.

Animal-origin reagents are essential for a multitude of research and biomanufacturing applications. Many important research breakthroughs and life-saving therapeutics would not be possible without them. However, there is increasing pressure for change.