Researchers from IIT-Guwahati and the Bose Institute, Kolkata have developed an advanced injectable hydrogel for localized cancer treatment.

About hydrogel

• Hydrogel is a water-based, three-dimensional polymer network that can absorb and retain fluids. 
• Hydrogels may be classified based on their 
  • sources (natural or synthetic hydrogel), 
  • polymeric compositions (homo-polymer, co-polymer and multi-polymer hydrogels), 
  • physical structure (amorphous, semi-crystalline and crystalline hydrogels), 
  • cross-linkers (physical and chemical cross-linked hydrogels)
• Examples : cellulose, chitosan, collagen, alginate, agarose, hyaluronic acid, gelatin, and fibrin

Key Features of the Hydrogel

• Made of ultra-short peptides that are biocompatible and biodegradable.
• Mimics living tissues due to its water-based, three-dimensional polymer structure.
• Enhances drug uptake by cancer cells, induces cell cycle arrest, and promotes cell death.
• The hydrogel offers a controlled release of anti-cancer drugs that protect healthy cells from harm.

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How the Hydrogel Works?

• Precision Drug Delivery: Designed to release drugs directly at the tumor site, minimizing harm to healthy tissues.
• Responsive to Tumor Environment: Triggers drug release in response to high levels of glutathione (GSH), a molecule abundant in tumor cells.

Applications of Hydrogel 

• Medical:  Helps deliver drugs in a controlled way. 
  • It promotes healing, prevents infections, and keeps wounds moist. 
• Hygiene products:  Helps create smooth texture in personal care products. 
  • It keeps skin hydrated. 
• Agriculture:  helps in growth of the plant through absorption of water in the soil. 
• Environmental uses: removes contaminated elements from the water..
  • Clean up oil spills. 
• Industrial uses: Hydrogel is used in sensors and actuators which reacts when ph. Humidity or temperatures change. 
  • It stores energy by holding water.