University of Aveiro patents supramolecular hydrogels

Uthe research team of the University of Aveiro (AU) obtained the grant of a national patent for a new technology for the production of supramolecular hydrogels, which can be used in regenerative medicine, was announced today.

“ Inspired by structures present in DNA, these biomaterials allow to create microchannels that facilitate the circulation of nutrients and oxygen, contributing to the survival of cells in three-dimensional environments ", says a note from the academy.

According to the AU, the invention is based on the development of dynamic supramolecular hydrogels inspired by G-quadruplexes, structures that can be formed from specific DNA sequences.

Researchers stress that these materials have particularly relevant characteristics for biomedical applications: they are injectable, compatible with cells, biodegradable and adaptable to different uses.

One of the main advantages of the technology developed in the AU is the use of natural polymers and the ability to form microchannels without the need to resort to external stimuli.

“The proposed biomaterial is developed from natural polymers and does not require the action of external stimuli for the development of microchannels, which increases their biocompatibility and simplifies the manufacturing process,” explains the research team.

These characteristics represent an advantage over some of the currently available solutions, which rely predominantly on synthetic polymers and may have limitations for certain biomedical applications.

The AU reports that the versatility of new hydrogels opens up possibilities in different areas of biomedical research, particularly in the creation of three-dimensional models to study diseases, in the development of regenerative medicine strategies and in the evaluation of drugs and growth factors.

The national patent now granted results from the work developed by the COMPASS research group, CICECO – Instituto de Materiales de Aveiro, in a team that integrates researchers João Mano, João Borges and Djenisa Rocha and PhD student Vera Sousa.

The technology protection process was followed by the AU Intellectual Property team in support of the appreciation and protection of research and development results produced in the institution.