Promotie Aygül Zengin

Trefwoorden: Hydrogels, Nanocomposites, Mesoporous silica nanoparticles (MSNs), Regenerative medicine
 

"There is still plenty of room at the bottom: Mesoporous silica nanoncomposites for regenerative medicine applications"

This thesis investigates the development of advanced biomaterials for regenerative medicine, focusing on creating nanocomposite hydrogels by combining various polymers with tiny particles, specifically mesoporous silica nanoparticles. Although hydrogels are widely studied for their tissue-like properties, which make them suitable for repairing diverse tissues, they often exhibit poor mechanical properties. By examining how these nanoparticles interact with different polymers through specific chemical interactions, this research strengthens the hydrogels’ mechanical properties and introduces new functionalities, such as responsiveness to specific triggers, biodegradability, and controlled release of small molecules. These adaptable nanocomposites are designed for a range of biomedical applications, including self-healing injectables for minimally invasive surgeries, bioinks for precise, light-based 3D printing, and targeted drug delivery systems. Ultimately, this work provides scientists and engineers with a valuable toolkit for designing next-generation biomaterials tailored to innovative applications in regenerative medicine. 

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