Rondahl, Veronica
- Department of Animal Biosciences, Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences
Abstract
Collagen, the primary structural protein of the extracellular matrix (ECM), is widely used in biomaterials for tissue engineering and repair. However, its limited mechanical properties constrain its use in load-bearing applications. Here, we present a strategy to fabricate dense collagen-silica hybrid hydrogels (16 wt.% collagen) that have high mechanical strength, flexibility, printability, and biofunctionality. Using borate-mediated templating, we synchronize the formation of nanostructured silica networks with collagen fibrillogenesis, and subsequently covalently bind the two phases. This approach yields a compressive modulus similar to 1.5 MPa for the hybrid hydrogels with a water content as high as 85%. Characterization confirms that borates act transiently during processing, allowing network formation without being retained in the final material. The hybrid hydrogels support high cell viability, elongation, and alignment in 3D cultures, while in vivo, initially cell-free scaffolds, implanted subcutaneously display minimal inflammation, vascularized tissue integration, and controlled, cell-mediated degradation. Taken together, this work establishes a robust framework for creating printable, ECM-mimetic collagen-silica hybrids with nanoscale reinforcement, offering new opportunities in regenerative medicine and scaffold fabrication.
Keywords
collagen-silica hybrid; ECM-mimetic scaffold; nanostructured reinforcement; printable biomaterial; tissue integration
Published in
Advanced Functional Materials
2026
Publisher: WILEY-V C H VERLAG GMBH
SLU Authors
UKÄ Subject classification
Nanotechnology for Materials Science
Bio Materials
Publication identifier
- DOI: https://doi.org/10.1002/adfm.202526318
Permanent link to this page (URI)
https://res.slu.se/id/publ/146398