Hydrogels repair and repair tissues in humans

Danh Phuong

Scientists at the University of Delaware (UD) have invented a new biological material with amazing antibacterial properties, which can be injected as a slightly gelatinous gel on the wound, almost like give hard contact surfaces - open the way for cells and antibiotic substances to address the identified harmful activities; to recover damaged tissue.

Restoring healthy tissue in liver with metastatic cancer, healing biopsy points and reducing pain for soldiers injured in battle, medical treatment against infection is endless goals that scientists anticipate for new technology.

This invention was developed by Joel Schneider , associate professor of biochemistry and chemistry; and Darrin Pochan , associate professor of patented materials science, and their research team marked an important step in the development of hydrogels for medical applications.

The introduction of the formula using hydrogels in the form of cars that deliver goods to cells, extends the purposes of using this bio-polymer, far beyond creating contact lenses, into a more attractive field that was once viewed as the field of science fiction, including the development of bones and organs in the body to replace those affected or damaged parts.

Pochan said: ' This is an area that will explode throughout the next decade .'

The mouse fibroblasts (connective tissue-forming cells) on the surface of the hydrogel were invented by UD. Hydrogels provide a ' protective barrier ' for the tissue to hold and grow on it. (Photo: Udel.edu )

Hydrogels are formed from super-absorbent chain-like polymers . Although they are insoluble in water, they absorb a large amount of water, and their porous structure allows the nutrients and waste of cells to pass right in front of them.

Schneider and Pochan and their research teams have been focusing on developing hydrogels based on the chain of amino acids that are once cultured in the human body, into rigs or frames to allow cells to attach to and grow on. that - cells are fibroblasts that form connective tissue, and bone fibroblasts that form bones.

Schneider said: 'They are like steel bars when we build something in concrete, then they put cement in it to stick it - like that.'

The foundation of UD's hydrogels is ' MAX1 , ' a self-assembled acid-amino acid chain that scientists designed six years ago and named after the son of Pochan, Max.

Amino acid chains are short chains of many amino acids, which form proteins. Other amino acids bind together to form chains, which then fold into stronger shapes along with specific functions.

The amino acid chain that Schneider and Pochan and their research teams have designed must undergo a mandatory self-assembly process, meaning that the amino acid sequence will automatically roll into a separate shape to response initiates a particular process, or stimulus of the environment, such as exposure to light, for example. After coiling together, it gathers itself, and provides hydrogel.

Use ' MAX8 ,' the 8th iteration of their original amino acid sequence, Lisa Haines-Butterick, a Ph.D. student in Schneider's group, found a way to encapsulate living cells in Hydrogel and then injecting gel into the secondary position does not harm cells.

A UD scientist (right) and Darrin Pochan invented the new amino acid-based hydrogel for a range of potential medical applications. (Photo: Udel.edu)

Schneider explains: 'Although we currently only prove this capacity for the types of gels we invented, we imagine that when injected into the body, the cells are encapsulated in the gel. may have nothing to do with reorganizing tissue. '

The amino acid-based hydrogels manufactured by UD show many new shapes. Not only do they have cellular compatibility, which means they do not harm living cells they are delivered for distribution, but they are also inherently resistant gels, kill gram-positive bacteria and That is a characteristic that the research team is currently exploring.

UD's hydrogels can also be chilled and dried into powdered powder and reconstituted into a liquid for use. They can be injected with a syringe, at least providing us with a method of interfering with medical treatments, as well as a leak-proof method that targets the distribution of cells and drugs to muscles. sick or injured bodies.

Research collaborations with physicists at Christiana Health Care System in Newark, Delaware will lead to the development of future hydrogels. Recently, Schneider began his research with Dr. Joseph Bennett, a surgeon at Graham Cancer Center , who removed tumors in the liver.

Both Schneider and Pochan contributed this new research collaboration to the Center for Research on Pure Cancer, which is a research collaboration of Christiana's Health Care System, AI duPon and UD Children's Hospital, including both University of Delaware Biotechnology Institute. This center is under the direction of Mary C. Farach-Carson, a professor of both biological sciences and physical sciences at UD.

Schneider said: 'You know, the liver is a surprising body part, it has the ability to recover easily. If nearly 70% of the liver is damaged by disease or amputation, the remaining 30% can grow again, and still be able to perform the function of a liver. " He noted: 'We If you want to use hydrogel to bring liver cells to the liver, this substance can be used to enhance liver function, for example if a person has hepatitis, or drink too much alcohol, then that agent usually limits the amount of liver removed by cancer. '

A close-up shot of UD's hydrogels.(Photo: Udel.edu)

Whereas Schneider and Pochan are not Felix and Oscar in the movie The Quirky Couple , they work in very different scientific methods and they have a very comfortable way of talking.

Both scientists joined the school's teaching team in 1999. They met during the time of attending the career-orientation course for the new teaching staff at the principal's home. , and sat at the table together.

Pochan said: 'True encounter can really be your friend.'

In addition to studying, Pochan and Schneider also realized that they were neighbors when living in Philadelphia, even at different times (during the time Schneider was a graduate student at the University). attended Pennsylvania, and Pochan was a first-year student at the University of Delaware), and even they had friends there.

Schneider said: 'So what are the differences?'

Because both of these scientists took turns winning the Early Career Development Award in the very noble Lecture in 2004 of the National Science Foundation and the award of Professor DuPont Young (Pochan 2002 and Schneider in 2005). Schneider also received the Francis Alison Social Youth Scholarship Award in 2003, and this year Pochan was the recipient of the John H. Dillon Medal of the American Natural Science Society.

Referring to hydrogels and pointing a thumb at Schneider, Pochan said: 'The problem is, he often throws these things away.'

'For the research that I am working on, a long time since I was a graduate student, the last thing I wanted to create was the hydrogel,' Schneider explained, 'so when I was real After that, I want to throw them out. Next Darrin told me. You see, these things are pretty interesting . "

'It is a very successful collaboration,' Schneider added. 'A large number of excellent students and others who are close to the campus also helped carry out the study to a great success,' he notes. 'There are no collaborators and students. hey, this research will not be possible. '

Schneider and Pochan's latest work on hydrogels is reported in the May 8 issue of the National Academy of Sciences Highlights . This study was funded by the National Science Foundation and the National Institutes of Health.