Hydrogels for Regenerative Medicine

Natural-based hydrogels have been widely used in the tissue engineering and regenerative
medicine (TERM) field, due to their resemblance to the native extracellular matrix of different
tissues1. Their properties allow the production of three dimensional matrices that can hold and
organize cells while maintaining their viability and functionality. Bearing this in mind,
polysaccharides and proteins have been functionalized, tuned, and processed using different
methods to produce different scaffolds and medical devices. Although versatile, hydrogels must
be conceived in a tailor-made fashion, and always considering their final application. Thence, the
importance of several aspects as mechanical properties, degradation, biocompatibility and
immunocompatibility will be discussed.