KES8-1013
Application of dynamic covalent chemistry in cell-encapsulating microspheres and injectable hydrogels
Topic
S8. Frontiers of Functional Polymers in Biology and Medicine
When and Where
Sep 29, 2026
15:00 - 15:25
Room 108
Session Chairs
Sung Yun YANG
Kwangsoo SHIN
Presenter(s)
Igor Lacik (Polymer Institute of the Slovak Academy of Sciences)
Co-Author(s)
Abstract
Dynamic covalent chemistry (DCC) provides a versatile cross-linking strategy for designing advanced biomaterials through the formation of reversible covalent bonds under physiological conditions.1 These dynamic networks combine injectability, self-healing, stress relaxation, and tunable mechanical properties, making them highly suitable for tissue engineering applications.
In particular, DCC-based hydrogels allow minimally invasive delivery, defect filling, and in situ stabilization to support chondrogenesis and ECM formation in cartilage repair and regeneration.2 In parallel, the same chemistry can be extended to implantable microspheres designed for encapsulation and immunoprotection of transplanted insulin-producing cells,3 where dynamic covalent bonds enhance durability and stability compared to solely Coulombic interactions-based systems.
In this contribution, we will present the highlights of our work on applying DCC as a unifying design principle that bridges injectable ECM-mimetic scaffolds and stable cell-encapsulating microspheres for regenerative medicine and cell-based therapies.
Acknowledgements: This work was supported by the Slovak Research and Development Agency under the contract numbers APVV-22-0568 and APVV-22-0565, and by the FLAG- ERA grant GRAPH-OCD, by the Slovak Academy of Sciences under the grant number FLAG ERA III/2023/808/GRAPH-OCD.
1. Lei, Z., Chen, H., Huang, S., Wayment, L.J., Xu, Q., Zhang, W. Chem. Rev. 124: 829, 2024.
2. Lei, L., Cong, R., Ni, Y., Cui, X., Wang, X. et al., Adv Health Mat. 13:2302554, 2024.
3. He, W., Li, H., Xu, X., Zhang, X., Chen, J., Lv, Ch., Yu, H., Feng, Q., Dong, H., Chem. Eng. J. 492: 152261, 2024.
In particular, DCC-based hydrogels allow minimally invasive delivery, defect filling, and in situ stabilization to support chondrogenesis and ECM formation in cartilage repair and regeneration.2 In parallel, the same chemistry can be extended to implantable microspheres designed for encapsulation and immunoprotection of transplanted insulin-producing cells,3 where dynamic covalent bonds enhance durability and stability compared to solely Coulombic interactions-based systems.
In this contribution, we will present the highlights of our work on applying DCC as a unifying design principle that bridges injectable ECM-mimetic scaffolds and stable cell-encapsulating microspheres for regenerative medicine and cell-based therapies.
Acknowledgements: This work was supported by the Slovak Research and Development Agency under the contract numbers APVV-22-0568 and APVV-22-0565, and by the FLAG- ERA grant GRAPH-OCD, by the Slovak Academy of Sciences under the grant number FLAG ERA III/2023/808/GRAPH-OCD.
1. Lei, Z., Chen, H., Huang, S., Wayment, L.J., Xu, Q., Zhang, W. Chem. Rev. 124: 829, 2024.
2. Lei, L., Cong, R., Ni, Y., Cui, X., Wang, X. et al., Adv Health Mat. 13:2302554, 2024.
3. He, W., Li, H., Xu, X., Zhang, X., Chen, J., Lv, Ch., Yu, H., Feng, Q., Dong, H., Chem. Eng. J. 492: 152261, 2024.
