Review Paper: Multifunctional Composite Microgels: From Structural Design to Biomedical Applications
Authored by Yanli Cai, Dong Xu, Zi En Chong, Elaine Chen, Soo Wah Gan, Alvin Bok, Wen Feng Lu, Wei Zhai, and Ching Chiuan Yen, this work highlights the growing potential of composite microgels as versatile platforms in the biomedical space.
Microgels, which are micrometer-sized hydrogel particles, are increasingly being engineered by integrating polymers, nanomaterials, and bioactive agents. This review presents a systematic framework that connects:
🔹 Structural design
🔹 Mechanisms of cell regulation
🔹 Biomedical applications
The paper explores how composite microgels influence cellular behavior through intrinsic material cues (mechanical, biochemical, architectural) and dynamic functionalities (stimuli-responsiveness, programmable kinetics). It further showcases applications in cancer therapy, tissue engineering and
regenerative medicine.
Importantly, the review also discusses key challenges such as scalability, biosafety, and clinical translation, while pointing towards future directions including AI-driven design for personalised medicine. This work reflects our continued efforts in advancing biomedical additive manufacturing and functional materials research.
Read the review paper here
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