This book offers an in-depth exploration of both natural and synthetic polymeric hydrogels and bioinks, with a focus on their groundbreaking use in medical applications, particularly in the production of 3D tissue constructs and organ models. It covers the science and applications of hydrogels, beginning with a foundational understanding of tissue engineering and scaffold types. It describes the versatile 3D printing techniques that bring bioinks to life, followed by in-depth analyses of natural and synthetic hydrogels. Special emphasis is placed on hydrogels that mimic the extracellular matrix, providing crucial insights for researchers working to create realistic tissue environments.

From smart hydrogels with adaptive properties to injectable solutions and conductive formulations, this book highlights innovations that are transforming therapeutic strategies. The text also covers a range of biomedical applications, including hydrogels in controlled delivery systems, nerve, cartilage, bone, skin, and cornea therapies, and their use in producing contact and intraocular lenses. Meticulously curated by leading experts in the field, this volume bridges the gap between cutting-edge research and practical applications, making it an essential guide for advancing tissue engineering and regenerative medicine.

Autorentext

Dr. Nesrin Hasirci is a member of the Middle East Technical University (METU, Türkiye), and Near East University (TRNC, Mersin, Türkiye). Her research is concentrated on Biomaterials and Tissue Engineering applications, including synthesis and modifications of polymers and composites; nano and micro systems as drug delivery vesicles; material-cell interactions; antibacterial surfaces, etc. She has over 240 scientific publications, 7 patents, 22 chapters in scientific books, 4 edited books, and 2 authored books 'Fundamentals of Biomaterials' (Springer, 2018 and 2024 as 2nd Ed.), and 'Biyomalzemelerin Temel Ilkeleri (METU, Turkish) together with Dr. V. Hasirci. She has presented over 500 talks at international and national conferences where she was an Invited and/or Plenary Lecturer. Also, she presented more than 100 social seminars to public communities. She organized or participated in the Organization Committees of conferences and workshops on 'Biomaterials and Tissue Engineering' as well as 'Technology and Innovation' subjects. She supervised or co-supervised more than 50 M.Sc. and 20 Ph.D. theses. She spent one year at MIT (The Massachusetts Institute of Technology, USA) as Fulbright Visiting Scholar. She is an Honorary Member of European Society of Biomaterials (ESB), Fellow of the Science Academy (Türkiye). She is also the owner of Science Award given by M. Parlar Foundation, and Technology Award given by Elginkan Foundation (Türkiye).

Dr. Vasif Hasirci is an expert in biomedical, biotechnological and nanotechnological applications of polymers. His specific fields are biomaterials and tissue engineering, drug delivery and nano-micro modified surfaces for biomedical applications. He is the Founding Director of the Center of Excellence in Biomaterials and Tissue Engineering at the Middle East Technical University (METU BIOMATEN, Ankara, Türkiye) and the founder and Director of Acibadem University (ACU) Biomaterials Center (Istanbul, Türkiye), and the chair of the ACU Biomaterials Graduate Program. He is an associate editor of Frontiers in Bioengineering and Biotechnology, and also of Exploration of BioMat-X. He serves on the editorial boards of journals including Biomaterials, Bioactive Materials, J. Biomaterials Science: Polymer Edn., and Nanomedicine. He is a Fellow of the Science Academy (Türkiye), the International College of Fellows of Biomaterials Science and Engineering (IUSBSE), Royal Society of Chemistry (UK) and a Honorary Member of the European Society for Biomaterials (ESB). He is the founding President of the Biomaterials and Tissue Engineering Society and a founder of the Biomedical Science and Technology Symposia (BIOMED). He has supervised 30 Ph.D. and 50 M.Sc. theses and published more 240 papers in international journals along the lines of his research fields.