The Intersecting Physical Mechanisms That Regulate Cell Viability in 3D Synthetic Hydrogels

New research highlights how hydrogel design can significantly impact cell survival in 3D cultures. Scientists, including Nathan R. Richbourg, Ph.D., found that synthetic hydrogels with nanoporous structures restrict protein transport more than natural biopolymer hydrogels, leading to reduced cell viability. By comparing synthetic PEG-VS hydrogels with Matrigel, the study showed that limited protein movement within synthetic materials may play a key role in cell survival. These findings emphasize the importance of considering protein transport and cell microenvironment when designing synthetic biomaterials for research and biomedical applications.