Synthesis of Hydrogel-Based Microgels and Nanogels Toward Therapeutic and Biomedical Applications
Yuri Choi, Hye Yeon Koh, Jung Yeon Han, Soonmin Seo
Abstract
Hydrogel is one of the most prominent biomaterials in therapeutic and biomedical engineering, benefiting from its biocompatibility, chemical/physical tunability, and wide versatility to various fabrication techniques. One remarkable advance in the latest hydrogel research is the micro/nanofabrication technologies, which utilize unique mechanical and chemical properties of hydrogel, various chemical reaction mechanisms, and multidisciplinary approaches to realize innovative systems at these size scales. This review reports a comprehensive overview on the latest advances in fabrication of hydrogel-based micro- and nano-systems with an emphasis on their biomedical and therapeutic applications. Challenges and prospects are discussed from the material, fabrication, and system design perspectives to develop effective, personalized, and versatile hydrogel-based therapies.