Biobased Injectable Hydrogel for Controlled Drug Delivery and Tissue Engineering

This technology introduces a biobased injectable hydrogel system designed for controlled drug delivery and tissue engineering applications. The hydrogel is composed of soy protein isolate (SPI), modified cellulose nanofibers, and crosslinkers, creating a biocompatible and structurally stable material suitable for biomedical use.

The system utilizes TEMPO-oxidized cellulose nanofibers (TOCNFs) or succinylated cellulose nanofibers (SCNFs) combined with soy protein to form a polymer matrix. These components are crosslinked using agents such as poly(ethylene glycol) diglycidyl ether (PEGDE) or other epoxy-based crosslinkers. The resulting structure forms a viscoelastic hydrogel network capable of supporting therapeutic drug loading and controlled release.

A key feature of the hydrogel is its shear-thinning and self-healing behavior. Under mechanical stress—such as during injection through a syringe—the hydrogel temporarily reduces viscosity, allowing it to flow easily. Once the stress is removed, the polymer network rapidly reforms through reversible interactions between polymer chains and nanofibers, restoring its gel structure. This property allows for minimally invasive administration without clogging or loss of structural integrity after injection.

The hydrogel’s composition and crosslink density can be tuned to adjust mechanical strength, injectability, and degradation rate. It also supports pH-responsive drug release, enabling enhanced drug delivery in acidic environments commonly associated with tumor tissues. The hydrogel can encapsulate chemotherapeutic agents such as doxorubicin or paclitaxel and release them gradually over time, improving treatment efficiency while reducing systemic toxicity.

In addition to injectable delivery, the hydrogel demonstrates 3D printability, allowing fabrication of customized scaffolds or implants. The porous structure supports cell attachment and proliferation, making the material suitable for tissue engineering and regenerative medicine applications.

BENEFITS

• Minimally invasive delivery through injectable shear-thinning hydrogel
• Biobased and biocompatible materials (soy protein and cellulose nanofibers)
• Self-healing structure that restores gel integrity after injection
• Controlled and sustained drug release, particularly for cancer therapeutics
• pH-responsive drug delivery targeting tumor microenvironments
• Customizable mechanical and rheological properties through composition tuning
• Supports cell growth and tissue regeneration
• 3D printable for scaffolds and implantable structures

APPLICATIONS

• Localized cancer drug delivery
• Tumor microenvironment research models
• Tissue engineering scaffolds
• Regenerative medicine
• Surgical adhesives and sealants
• Wound healing materials
• 3D bioprinted biomedical implants
• Controlled release therapeutic platforms

PATENTS

This technology has a U.S. Patent Pending