Stimuli-sensitive hydrogel composites for drug delivery applications
Recent breakthroughs in material science have led to the development of hydrogels that respond to various triggers, such as pH levels, temperature fluctuations, light exposure, or the presence of specific biomolecules is of great importance. These 'smart' hydrogels have a wide range of potential medical applications, especially in drug delivery. We focus on creating hydrogel-based materials for delivering drugs, healing wounds, and strain sensing. Laser therapy is becoming increasingly popular in medicine due to its minimal invasiveness.
1. Gelatin based hydrogel nanocomposites incorporated with porous nanoparticle has shown synergistic application, in photothermal therapy (respond to NIR-laser) and chemotherapy (site specific release of doxorubicin at particular pH). Further, their structural and bulk properties has been studied to understand the structural deformations.
2. Hydrogel membrane composed of PVA polymers embedded with NIR-active porous antibacterial nanoparticles shows significant potential for wound healing applications. Hydrogel mimics heat patch function and absorbs NIR radiation generating localized heat that improves blood flow, and accelerates tissue repair. Nanoparticles used in hydrogel fight infection with antimicrobial properties. Therefore, utilizing a distinctive hydrogel matrix with laser therapy provides a holistic approach to wound care.
