Research Projects

This project proposal is focused mainly on the development of bio-inspired self-healing hydrogel systems for potential biomedical applications (such as wound healing, antibacterial efficiency and hemostasis). Besides being biocompatible and biodegradable, the proposed hydrogel systems are self-healable as well. The proposed materials have two component systems, which are expected to form a self-healing hydrogel when they will be mixed together. These two basic components of the hydrogel systems are based on biodegradable biopolymer derivatives with complimentary functionality pendent of different click chemistry (i.e., thiol-ene click reaction and imine bond formation). The cyto-compatibility of the synthesized gel systems will be investigated by in-vitro cell cytotoxicity study (i.e., MTT assay, morphological assessment by cell imaging). On the application point of view, the investigations would be carried out to find out the potentiality of the synthesized gel systems towards wound healing, antibacterial efficacy and as promising haemostatic sealants. As the designed hydrogel is composed of different functionalities and highly hydrophilic networked structure, some promising anti-bacterial drug will be encapsulated through physical coordination. The in-vitro transdermal release behavior will also be carried out. Then the drug loaded hydrogel will be applied for wound dressing. Moreover, the three-dimensional hydrophilic network structure of the gels will serve as extracellular matrix for tissue regeneration for healing the wound. The bio-adhesive behavior of the hydrogel may be intended towards the development of a hydrogel patch for closure of severe wounds with maintaining proper moisture.