KES8-1105
Thermogelling polymers as a 3D cell culture scaffold
Topic
S8. Frontiers of Functional Polymers in Biology and Medicine
When and Where
Sep 30, 2026
10:20 - 10:45
Room 108
Session Chairs
Hyun Do JUNG
Minho KANG
Presenter(s)
Byeongmoon Jeong (Ewha Womans Univ.)
Co-Author(s)
Abstract
Thermogelling polymers were recognized by the IUPAC as one of the Top 10 Emerging Technologies in October 2025. These polymers remain as free-flowing solutions at formulation temperatures but undergo a thermally induced sol-to-gel transition under physiological conditions, enabling minimally invasive administration and in situ gel formation. Their ability to encapsulate a wide range of bioactive agents, including small-molecule drugs, proteins, nucleic acids, and living cells, through a simple mixing process has established them as versatile platforms for biomedical applications such as controlled drug delivery, 3D cell culture, tissue engineering, regenerative medicine, and cell preservation.
Our laboratory has developed a broad portfolio of biodegradable thermogelling polymers based on PLGA, PCL, PTMC, polypeptides, and chemically modified Poloxamers. Among these materials, polypeptide-based thermogels exhibit unique structural and biological characteristics that make them particularly attractive for cell-based biomedical applications. This presentation will highlight the design and biomedical applications of polypeptide thermogels, with an emphasis on their use as 3D cell culture scaffolds for regulating stem cell differentiation, platforms for drug screening, and matrices for hypothermic cell preservation.
1. Drug screening: 2025, Korea Patent KR102780154B1,PCT/KR/2022/013880, US Patent 2024/18/692563. 2021, Korea Patent 102246582B1, PCT/KR2020/000193, US Patent 2022/0162558A1. ACS Appl. Mater. Interfaces, 2022, 14, 3, 3773-3783. Biomater. Res. 2026, 30, 302., J. Controlled Release, 2022, 343, 118.
2. Cell storage: 2025, Korea Patent 1020210120741.
3. Controlled stem cell differentiation: Biomaterials, 2018, 159, 91., Adv. Funct. Mater., 2018, 28, 1706286., Adv. Funct. Mater., 2015, 25, 2573., ACS Appl. Mater. Interfaces, 2017, 9, 42668-42675., ACS Macro Letters, 2017, 6, 1305-1309., Adv. Healthcare Mater., 2016, 5, 353-363.,
Our laboratory has developed a broad portfolio of biodegradable thermogelling polymers based on PLGA, PCL, PTMC, polypeptides, and chemically modified Poloxamers. Among these materials, polypeptide-based thermogels exhibit unique structural and biological characteristics that make them particularly attractive for cell-based biomedical applications. This presentation will highlight the design and biomedical applications of polypeptide thermogels, with an emphasis on their use as 3D cell culture scaffolds for regulating stem cell differentiation, platforms for drug screening, and matrices for hypothermic cell preservation.
1. Drug screening: 2025, Korea Patent KR102780154B1,PCT/KR/2022/013880, US Patent 2024/18/692563. 2021, Korea Patent 102246582B1, PCT/KR2020/000193, US Patent 2022/0162558A1. ACS Appl. Mater. Interfaces, 2022, 14, 3, 3773-3783. Biomater. Res. 2026, 30, 302., J. Controlled Release, 2022, 343, 118.
2. Cell storage: 2025, Korea Patent 1020210120741.
3. Controlled stem cell differentiation: Biomaterials, 2018, 159, 91., Adv. Funct. Mater., 2018, 28, 1706286., Adv. Funct. Mater., 2015, 25, 2573., ACS Appl. Mater. Interfaces, 2017, 9, 42668-42675., ACS Macro Letters, 2017, 6, 1305-1309., Adv. Healthcare Mater., 2016, 5, 353-363.,
