Research and Application of Injectable Hydrogels
A special issue of Gels (ISSN 2310-2861). This special issue belongs to the section "Gel Applications".
Deadline for manuscript submissions: 30 November 2025 | Viewed by 702
Special Issue Editors
Interests: hydrogel; self-assembly; polymer; cancer theranostics
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals
Interests: biomaterials; materials chemistry; design and synthesis of biodegradable polymer; polymeric self-assemblies; biomedical materials; tissue engineering
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals
Special Issue Information
Dear Colleagues,
The field of injectable hydrogels has witnessed a remarkable surge in interest, driven by their unparalleled potential in biomedical applications. The following Special Issue, entitled "Research and Application of Injectable Hydrogels", is dedicated to exploring the multifaceted roles of these materials in tissue engineering, drug delivery, and regenerative medicine, with a particular focus on their innovative applications and underlying mechanisms.
In tissue engineering, injectable hydrogels have emerged as a transformative tool for the repair and regeneration of various tissues, including cartilage, bone, and soft tissues. Their ability to form a gel in situ, providing a scaffold for cell infiltration and proliferation, makes them an attractive option for minimally invasive procedures. The incorporation of bioactive molecules, growth factors, and cells within these hydrogels can further enhance their regenerative capabilities, leading to improved tissue function and integration.
The application of injectable hydrogels in drug delivery has opened new horizons for the treatment of various diseases. These materials can be engineered to encapsulate a wide range of therapeutic agents, from small molecules to proteins and nucleic acids, offering controlled release profiles tailored to the specific needs of the patient. The development of stimuli-responsive hydrogels that release drugs in response to internal or external cues, such as changes in pH, temperature, or the presence of specific enzymes, has the potential to significantly improve the efficacy and safety of drug therapies.
Furthermore, the use of injectable hydrogels in theranostics—combining therapy and diagnostics—represents a frontier in personalized medicine. By integrating imaging agents or diagnostic nanoparticles within the hydrogel matrix, it is possible to monitor the drug release process in real time, providing valuable feedback for treatment optimization. The versatility of injectable hydrogels extends to their tunable mechanical properties, which can be tailored to match the mechanical environment of the target tissue. This is particularly important for the successful integration of the hydrogel into the host tissue and for the prevention of adverse reactions.
In conclusion, injectable hydrogels are a class of materials that hold immense promise for advancing the fields of tissue engineering and drug delivery. Their unique properties, including their biocompatibility, biodegradability, and ability to be functionalized with a variety of bioactive agents, make them invaluable in the quest for innovative and effective medical treatments. We warmly invite researchers to contribute to this Special Issue, sharing their groundbreaking research that will undoubtedly shape the future of injectable hydrogel technology and its impact on human health.
Dr. Hongwei Cheng
Dr. Zibiao Li
Guest Editors
Manuscript Submission Information
Manuscripts should be submitted online at www.mdpi.com by registering and logging in to this website. Once you are registered, click here to go to the submission form. Manuscripts can be submitted until the deadline. All submissions that pass pre-check are peer-reviewed. Accepted papers will be published continuously in the journal (as soon as accepted) and will be listed together on the special issue website. Research articles, review articles as well as short communications are invited. For planned papers, a title and short abstract (about 100 words) can be sent to the Editorial Office for announcement on this website.
Submitted manuscripts should not have been published previously, nor be under consideration for publication elsewhere (except conference proceedings papers). All manuscripts are thoroughly refereed through a single-blind peer-review process. A guide for authors and other relevant information for submission of manuscripts is available on the Instructions for Authors page. Gels is an international peer-reviewed open access monthly journal published by MDPI.
Please visit the Instructions for Authors page before submitting a manuscript. The Article Processing Charge (APC) for publication in this open access journal is 2100 CHF (Swiss Francs). Submitted papers should be well formatted and use good English. Authors may use MDPI's English editing service prior to publication or during author revisions.
Keywords
- injectable hydrogel
- biomechanics drug delivery
- stimuli-responsive hydrogel
- theranostics
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