Smart Hydrogel-Type Formulations: New Insights Regarding Design and Biomedical Applications

Dear Colleagues,

Hydrogels, three-dimensional networks of hydrophilic polymers capable of absorbing and retaining large amounts of water or biologics (proteins, peptides and genes), have garnered significant attention due to their diverse applications across various fields, particularly in biomedical domain. These formulations have been explored extensively for their potential in tissue engineering, drug delivery, wound healing, and regenerative medicine.

In the field of targeted drug delivery, hydrogels are considered promising platforms for the controlled and localized release of therapeutic agents, minimizing side associated with conventional chemotherapy and improving treatment efficacy. Recently, more and more emphasis has been placed on the development of smart hydrogels with stimulus-response characteristics, offering on-demand release, extended action times and reduced administration frequencies, improving ultimately bioavailability of drugs and reducing side effects. The development of microfabricated hydrogels or based on bioactive nanocomposites cross-linked with multifunctional nano-reticles, has proven promising in promoting tissue engineering or tissue regeneration. In the field of materials science, the modification of hydrogels to improve their properties has been a key area of ​​interest, due to the multifunctionality of this advanced materials, which has led to the development of highly adhesive, resistant, and stimuli-responsive hydrogels to biophysical and biochemical stimuli, highlighting their versatility and potential for modern medicine. Therefore, the integration of therapeutic agents, nanomaterials, nanoparticles, liposomes, or biologics, makes hydrogels a versatile class of intelligent formulations with immense potential across the biomedical field. The incorporation strategies have shown promise in improving the mechanical, swelling and adhesion properties of hydrogels, thereby improving drug delivery efficiency.

Within the current Special Issue, we aim to bring together full papers, both original articles and reviews and short communications, on recent developments of smart hydrogels that enable the design of highly sophisticated formulations for self-regulated drug delivery to improve drug bioavailability, targeted delivery, and precisely controlled release, as well as to prolonged drug half-life, enhance their stability, and therapeutic outcomes, making them valuable tools in precision modern medicine. The design of smart hydrogels will drive innovation and advances in medical research and healthcare. By harnessing the unique properties of hydrogels and exploring new formulations and applications, researchers and clinicians will be poised to unlock new possibilities for improving patient outcomes and advancing medical treatments.

Dr. Elena-Alina Moacă
Dr. Ioana Viorica Olariu
Dr. Georgeta Coneac
Guest Editors

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• hydrogels
• gelling formulations
• stimuli-responsive hydrogels
• magnetic hydrogels
• light-cured hydrogels
• metallic hydrogels
• manufacturing process (design)
• physicochemical features
• mechanical properties
• biological activity
• cancer therapy
• drug delivery platforms
• drug integration
• materials encapsulation
• drug release kinetics