Bioengineered peptide-functionalized hydrogels for tissue regeneration and repair

Abstract Hydrogels have been widely investigated as provisional matrices for tissue engineering and regenerative medicine, namely, as analogs of the natural extracellular matrix (ECM). In this context, different types of biofunctionalization strategies have been proposed to enhance the biological performance of hydrogels, particularly when they lack intrinsic bioactivity. Polymer-peptide hybrid hydrogels have emerged as promising systems, combining the ECM-like structural/mechanical properties of polymeric 3D networks with the biological activity of peptides. In this chapter, we present an overview of strategies involving the chemical functionalization of hydrogels with different types of bioactive peptides, for the design of cell instructive/responsive artificial 3D matrices.