Injectable biomedical materials

The development of next-generation biomaterials strives to mimic the regulatory ability of the body's own materials that surround our cells, i.e. the natural extracellular matrix. By creating a three-dimensional environment that mimics the extracellular matrix, it is possible to control the growth and behavior of cells. It can be about promoting tissue growth for healing injuries, but also preventing tissue growth during cancer treatment. Making these materials injectable biomaterials also simplifies the treatment procedure and minimizes discomfort for the patient.

We have focused on the natural polysaccharide hyaluronic acid as a basis for designing new biomaterials. This polymer is a so-called glycosaminoglycan and is a natural part of the extracellular matrix that is essential for cell growth, structural stability and tissue organization. We have developed gels based on hyaluronic acid that form in less than a minute by mixing two components in aqueous solution. These have been shown to be both non-toxic and cause minimal inflammation in animal experiments, something that can otherwise be a problem with injectable biomaterials. Shorter fragments of hyaluronic acid can also be taken up by cells through specific interactions with receptors on the cell surface. In this way, hyaluronic acid can be used as a tool to bring active substances into cells in a very efficient way. This is useful for e.g. transport genetic material or drugs that are poorly soluble in water.

To further develop these materials, this project, which is funded by the Swedish Research Council, aims to develop synthetic strategies to functionalize hyaluronic acid with reactive groups and therapeutic substances to create new bioactive gels and therapeutic materials. These biomaterials are then characterized with respect to the biological response in both cell and animal studies to better understand the biological mechanisms that govern the materials' function.