The role of poly(2-alkyl-2-oxazoline)s in hydrogels and biofabrication

Biomater Sci. 2021 Apr 21;9(8):2874-2886. doi: 10.1039/d0bm02217a. Epub 2021 Mar 17.

Abstract

Poly(2-alkyl-2-oxazoline)s (PAOXAs) have been rapidly emerging as starting materials in the design of tissue engineering supports and for the generation of platforms for cell cultures, especially in the form of hydrogels. Thanks to their biocompatibility, chemical versatility and robustness, PAOXAs now represent a valid alternative to poly(ethylene glycol)s (PEGs) and their derivatives in these applications, and in the formulation of bioinks for three-dimensional (3D) bioprinting. In this review, we summarize the recent literature where PAOXAs have been used as main components for hydrogels and biofabrication mixtures, especially highlighting how their easily tunable composition could be exploited to fabricate multifunctional biomaterials with an extremely broad spectrum of properties.

Publication types

  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Biocompatible Materials
  • Bioprinting*
  • Hydrogels*
  • Polyethylene Glycols
  • Printing, Three-Dimensional
  • Tissue Engineering

Substances

  • Biocompatible Materials
  • Hydrogels
  • Polyethylene Glycols