Biomimetic Hydrogels to Promote Blood Vessel Formation | Dr. Daniel Gould

Dr. Daniel Gould co-authored this research published in Acta Biomaterialia, examining how engineered biomaterials can be designed to promote the formation of new blood vessels within tissue.

Creating an effective blood supply is one of the central challenges in tissue engineering and regenerative medicine. Without functional vascular networks, engineered tissues are limited in their ability to receive the oxygen and nutrients necessary for survival and integration with surrounding tissue.

The researchers developed biomimetic polyethylene glycol, or PEG, hydrogels engineered to incorporate platelet-derived growth factor-BB, known as PDGF-BB. Rather than allowing the growth factor to diffuse away from the material, the team covalently immobilized it within the hydrogel to provide a localized biological signal.

The study examined how this immobilized signaling influenced the behavior of cells involved in vascular development. The engineered environment encouraged cellular organization and supported the development of microvascular structures within the hydrogel.

The researchers also evaluated the material in vivo, demonstrating vascular growth within implanted hydrogels and confirming that the newly formed vessels could connect with the body's existing circulation.

The research contributes to the development of vascularized engineered tissues by demonstrating how biomaterials can be designed to control biological signaling and encourage functional blood vessel formation, an important foundation for more advanced regenerative and tissue-engineering applications.