Nanogels are hydrogel-based nanoparticles that are highly tunable in chemical composition and physicochemical properties.1 These nanoparticles are highly versatile in their uses and allow for several functions to be combined including antimicrobial properties, fluorescence and MRI tracking and imaging, anti-adhesive, controlled release, and responsiveness to various stimuli.1 Because of this variety of functions and properties, the particles are used in controlled delivery, imaging, theranostic approaches and functional biomedical multi-modal coatings.1-5 The studies presented provide insights in the capabilities of such nanogels, the preparation, modification, and the use of them together with biological systems. The ease of scaling, the diversity, and ease of applicability make these particles very powerful.

Results and Discussion

The approach for nanogel formation is by precipitation polymerization, which allows for co-polymerizations as well as control over location of the monomers.5 Via sequential addition of monomers to the reaction mixture, core-shell nanogels can be formed allowing more versatility for implementing function. Post-modifications allow for inclusion of medically relevant attributes such as antimicrobial properties via e.g. quaternization3,4, inclusion of MRI tracers via peptide coupling or one can already introduce such function by using modified monomers bearing such attributed5. By precisely controlling the physicochemical properties such as charge or stiffness, one can utilise it not only as a carrier (Fig. 1) but also control the interactions with its surrounding that allows strong and easy applicable coatings (Fig. 1) using surface activation and electrostatic interactions.

Figure 1. A versatile approach using nanogels for suspension and coating applications.

Conclusion

Nanogels offer tremendous possibilities to be used as functional suspension-based structures and coatings. These will complement the biomedical field with the already more established inorganic or liposome-based nanoparticles.

References

1. Keskin D., et al Bioactive Materials, 2021, 6(10), 3634.

2. Ribovski L., et al Nanomedicine: Nanotechnology, Biology and Medicine, 2021, 102377.

3. Keskin D., et al ACS Applied Materials & Interfaces, 2020, 12(52) 57721.

4. Zu G., et al ACS Applied Polymer Materials, 2020 2(12), 5779.

5. Zu G, et al Chem. Eur. J. 2020 26(66), 15084.