The use of hydrogels as support materials for the growth and proliferation of mammalian cells has been well documented as they closely mimic the gel-like properties - and in some cases also the chemical properties - of the extracellular matrix (ECM), which naturally surrounds the cells of any biological tissue. Macro-porous hydrogels set below the freezing point of the solvent, so-called 'cryogels', have recently gained significant interest in the fields of tissue engineering and in vitro cell culture, thanks to their inherent interconnected macro-porous structure and ease of formation in comparison to other macro-pore forming techniques. This review highlights recent advances in cryogelation techniques and starting materials that can be utilised to synthesise biocompatible and biologically relevant cryogels as well as discussing physicochemical characterisation techniques for these materials. Lastly, emerging trends in the application of cryogels, particularly as three-dimensional ECM mimicking scaffolds for cell culture and tissue engineering, are discussed.
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http://dx.doi.org/10.1039/c3tb20280a | DOI Listing |
iScience
January 2025
Department of Mechanical Engineering, Pohang University of Science and Technology (POSTECH), Pohang, South Korea.
The heart, with its complex structural and functional characteristics, plays a critical role in sustaining life by pumping blood throughout the entire body to supply nutrients and oxygen. Engineered heart tissues have been introduced to reproduce heart functions to understand the pathophysiological properties of the heart and to test and develop potential therapeutics. Although numerous studies have been conducted in various fields to increase the functionality of heart tissue to be similar to reality, there are still many difficulties in reproducing the blood-pumping function of the heart.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFiScience
January 2025
Mammalian Embryo and Stem Cell Group, University of Cambridge, Department of Physiology, Development and Neuroscience, Downing Street, Cambridge CB2 3DY, UK.
The implantation of the mouse blastocyst initiates a complex sequence of tissue remodeling and cell differentiation events required for morphogenesis, during which the extraembryonic primitive endoderm transitions into the visceral endoderm. Through single-cell RNA sequencing of embryos at embryonic day 5.0, shortly after implantation, we reveal that this transition is driven by dynamic signaling activities, notably the upregulation of BMP signaling and a transient increase in Sox7 expression.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFExtreme Mech Lett
March 2025
Department of Mechanical Engineering, Stanford University, Stanford, CA 94305, USA.
Cutting soft materials on the microscale has emerging applications in single-cell studies, tissue microdissection for organoid culture, drug screens, and other analyses. However, the cutting process is complex and remains incompletely understood. Furthermore, precise control over blade geometries, such as the blade tip radius, has been difficult to achieve.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFJ Food Sci Technol
January 2025
Department of Animal Nutrition and Production, School of Veterinary Medicine and Animal Science, University of São Paulo, Pirassununga, SP 13635-900 Brazil.
Ivermectin (IVM) is one of the most widely used antiparasitic drugs worldwide and has become the drug of choice for anthelmintic and tick treatment in beef cattle production. Drugs used in production animals requires a withdrawal period after treatment to avoid residual concentrations above the defined maximun residue level (MRL). The aims of this study were to quantify the residue level of IVM in different muscles of cattle at several different time periods following 1% or 3.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFFront Bioeng Biotechnol
January 2025
Federal University of Alagoas, Center of Technology, Maceió, Brazil.
Medical implants are designed to replace missing parts or improve body functions and must be capable of providing structural support or therapeutic intervention for a medical condition. Advances in materials science have enabled the development of devices made from metals, polymers, bioceramics, and composites, each with its specific advantages and limitations. This review analyzes the incorporation of biopolymers, proteins, and other biomacromolecules into implants, focusing on their role in biological integration and therapeutic functions.
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