Scientists at the University of New South Wales Sydney have developed a novel synthetic hydrogel, Trpzip, that could revolutionize the cultivation of human tissue in labs and its application in medical procedures. Hydrogels can replicate human tissue, facilitating cell growth in labs. Existing manufactured hydrogels, present in items like food, cosmetics, and contact lenses, have limitations in replicating human tissue’s complexity.
Researchers created a hydrogel using a short peptide based on the tryptophan zipper (Trpzip) motif that exhibits properties mimicking those of natural systems. These Trpzip hydrogel have properties like being antimicrobial, self-healing, and tunable in terms of viscoelasticity. A unique feature of these hydrogels is their ability to release embedded cells easily, making them suitable for syringe extrusion, cell delivery, and 3D bioprinting. Additionally, Trpzip hydrogels support the growth of human intestinal organoids.
Given these properties, Trpzip is expected to be a valuable component for creating soft materials in biotechnology and medicine. This synthetic hydrogel offers an ethical alternative to natural hydrogels derived from animals, avoiding ethical issues and negative immune reactions in humans.
Ref: Nguyen AK, Molley TG, Kardia E, et al. Hierarchical assembly of tryptophan zipper peptides into stress-relaxing bioactive hydrogels. Nature Communications. 2023;14(1):6604. doi:https://doi.org/10.1038/s41467-023-41907-1