Hydrogels: Scaffolding for bone cells

PITTSBURGH, Aug. 18 (UPI) -- U.S. scientists say they have developed hyaluronic hydrogels that might provide suitable scaffolding for bone regeneration.

The hydrogels, created by Assistant Professor Newell Washburn, Krzysztof Matyjaszewski and Jeffrey Hollinger of Carnegie Mellon University, encourage growth of preosteoblast cells -- cells that aid the growth and development of bone.

"Tissue engineering is an exciting field. We're creating solutions to problems that can significantly impact people's quality of life," said Washburn. "These gels have great promise in not only regenerating bone, but serving as a gene therapy delivery system."

The researchers have also created a hybrid hydrogel that incorporates a nanogel structure. They said their new hydrogel promotes the differentiation of cells, much as the hyaluronic acid gel, while also releasing nanogels in a controlled and targeted manner. The researchers hope that structure could be used to partner tissue engineering with gene therapy.

Doctoral student Sidi Bencherif presented their research Sunday in Philadelphia during the national meeting of the American Chemical Society.