Hydrogels are a particular class of compounds of which the major constituent is wa- ter. In fact, water is present in the hydrogel up to 90% and is contained in a scaffold which is generally polymeric and obviously hydrophilic. As a result, hydrogels re- semble each other even though obtained from different polymers. Nevertheless, the polymeric matrix gives particular characteristics to the hydrogel leading to applica- tions in different fields. Water is the main element of the human body, thus hydrogels are excellent struc- tures to favourably shelter proteins, cells etc. , without altering their characteristics and properties. This is why hydrogels are mainly designed and synthesized for their usein thebiologicalfield;hence the name biohydrogels. Their propertiespoint totheir use as scaffolds for stem cells which has turned out to be a very promising technique for tissue and organ regeneration. For this reason their investigation falls within the Biomaterials Science. Paradoxically, the conceptual simplicity of hydrogelsupto nowhas led to a super- ficialstudy of their chemistry, chemical physics and mechanics preventing their wider application in the human body due to a lack of knowledge of biological component interactions. For example, it is not clear, yet, how to store hydrogels without alter- ing their characteristics. In fact, hydrogels re-hydrated after lyophylization or oven drying, generally show corrupted properties once swollen in water, in comparison with their native counterparts.

Integrated Biomaterials Science provides an intriguing insight into the world of biomaterials. It explores the materials and technology which have brought advances in new biomaterials, highlighting the way in which modern biology and medicine are synergistically linked to other key scientific disciplines-physics, chemistry, and engineering. In doing so, Integrated Biomaterials Science contains chapters on tissue engineering and gene therapy, standards and parameters of biomaterials, applications and interactions within the industrial world, as well as potential aspects of patent regulations.
Integrated Biomaterials Science serves as a comprehensive guide to understanding this dynamic field, yet is designed so that chapters may be read and understood independently, depending on the needs of the reader. Integrated Biomaterials Science is attractive to a broad audience interested in a deeper understanding of this evolving field, and serves as a key resource for researchers and students of biomaterials courses, providing all with an opportunity to probe further.

Hydrogels are a particular class of compounds of which the major constituent is wa- ter. In fact, water is present in the hydrogel up to 90% and is contained in a scaffold which is generally polymeric and obviously hydrophilic. As a result, hydrogels re- semble each other even though obtained from different polymers. Nevertheless, the polymeric matrix gives particular characteristics to the hydrogel leading to applica- tions in different fields. Water is the main element of the human body, thus hydrogels are excellent struc- tures to favourably shelter proteins, cells etc. , without altering their characteristics and properties. This is why hydrogels are mainly designed and synthesized for their usein thebiologicalfield;hence the name biohydrogels. Their propertiespoint totheir use as scaffolds for stem cells which has turned out to be a very promising technique for tissue and organ regeneration. For this reason their investigation falls within the Biomaterials Science. Paradoxically, the conceptual simplicity of hydrogelsupto nowhas led to a super- ficialstudy of their chemistry, chemical physics and mechanics preventing their wider application in the human body due to a lack of knowledge of biological component interactions. For example, it is not clear, yet, how to store hydrogels without alter- ing their characteristics. In fact, hydrogels re-hydrated after lyophylization or oven drying, generally show corrupted properties once swollen in water, in comparison with their native counterparts.

Integrated Biomaterials Science provides an intriguing insight into the world of biomaterials. It explores the materials and technology which have brought advances in new biomaterials, highlighting the way in which modern biology and medicine are synergistically linked to other key scientific disciplines-physics, chemistry, and engineering. In doing so, Integrated Biomaterials Science contains chapters on tissue engineering and gene therapy, standards and parameters of biomaterials, applications and interactions within the industrial world, as well as potential aspects of patent regulations. Integrated Biomaterials Science serves as a comprehensive guide to understanding this dynamic field, yet is designed so that chapters may be read and understood independently, depending on the needs of the reader. Integrated Biomaterials Science is attractive to a broad audience interested in a deeper understanding of this evolving field, and serves as a key resource for researchers and students of biomaterials courses, providing all with an opportunity to probe further.