Mimicking the complex biochemical and mechanical features of the native tissue remains a significant challenge. Biocompatible gels and tissue scaffolds are a class of materials designed to interact harmoniously with biological systems. They are widely used in biomedical applications, such as tissue engineering, drug delivery, and wound healing. These materials sometimes mimic the extracellular matrix (ECM), the complex network of proteins and molecules that provides structural and biochemical support to cells.

These materials should satisfy several requirements: they must not elicit an immune response or cause toxicity in the body, degrade gradually over time, allowing for tissue regeneration and replacement, and possess appropriate mechanical properties, such as elasticity and strength, to match the specific tissue they are intended to replace or support. A porous structure is usually required to allow cell infiltration, nutrient diffusion, and waste removal. In addition, these materials may incorporate bioactive molecules, such as growth factors, hormones, or medicines.

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In our lab, we are interested in two aspects of this research

1) Fragmentary mimicking of natural environment to study the role of polysaccharides and glucosides in biological systems.

2) Developing new materials based on modified polysaccharides, oligosaccharides, and glucosides that can be further used as fillers, tissue scaffolds, and bioactive hydrogels.

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