Nanocomposite hydrogels for tissue engineering applications

Tissue engineering is an emerging research area that serves as a tool for the fabrication of biologically functional constructs that can be used in drug discovery, disease modeling, and the treatment of diseased or damaged organs. From a materials perspective, scaffolds have become an important part of tissue engineering activities and are usually used to form an environment supporting cellular growth, differentiation, and maturation. Of all the possible scaffolding biomaterials, hydrogels have emerged as a promising candidate for their ability to mimic extracellular matrix of soft tissues. The majority of hydrogels, however, do not provide the physicochemical and biological characteristics and properties required for optimal cell growth and tissue function. In this chapter, we discuss the challenges associated with various types of hydrogels and will highlight the benefits of nanocomposites made of various nanoparticles and hydrogels for tissue engineering applications. In addition, emerging technologies and the opportunities for engineering more effective hydrogel-based scaffolds are briefly discussed.