As traditional medical technologies reach their limitations, the integration of medical technology with new materials becomes key to advancing precision medicine. Researchers at the University of Macau (UM) are at the forefront of this interdisciplinary innovation. Drawing inspiration from intricate structures refined through millions of years of human evolution, they are developing a range of revolutionary new materials, fundamentally pushing the boundaries of medical technology.
Bioinspired Hydrogels Compatible With Human Tissues
Developing artificial tissues that can harmoniously integrate with the human body is a key step towards breakthroughs in the integration of new materials and medical technology. This requires not only excellent biocompatibility, but also a high degree of mechanical matching with native tissues to resolve the long-standing challenge of mechanical discrepancies between native tissues and implant materials.
Native biological tissues have evolved over millions of years. A prime example is the annulus fibrosus in the human intervertebral disc. This tissue, with its unique circumferential fibre structure, can remain durable despite enduring millions of compression cycles throughout a lifetime, far exceeding the capabilities of current artificial materials. Inspired by this observation, Lei Iek Man, assistant professor in the Faculty of Science and Technology, and her research team overcame the limitations of traditional techniques to develop circumferentially aligned fibre hydrogels. This bioinspired material boasts a high water content of up to 85%, which is similar to that of real soft tissues. It also exhibits superior mechanical properties. Through a technique called ‘rotary compression annealing’, the material demonstrates remarkable toughness, with its tensile strength reaching 14MPa. It also possesses excellent fatigue resistance and compressive strength, effectively creating a scaffold for artificial tissues that is both soft and resilient, matching the mechanical properties of native tissues.
This bioinspired, circumferentially aligned fibre hydrogel offers a novel approach to the manufacture of medical devices, artificial implants, and tissue engineering scaffolds that display mechanical properties similar to those of soft tissues. Prof Lei explains that her team has developed a novel technique to create the ideal circumferential fibre structure by integrating the principle of phase transition from physics, structural design from materials engineering, and biomimetic concepts from bioengineering. This is achieved by inducing ice crystals to grow parallel within the hydrogel under slow freezing conditions. She adds, ‘Thanks to its unique bioinspired characteristics, this hydrogel effectively addresses the issue of mechanical mismatch between traditional implants and human tissues. It can be used to create medical devices and implants that more closely mimic the softness and toughness of biological tissues, thereby significantly enhancing patient comfort and clinical compatibility.’
Notably, the manufacturing process of the hydrogel represents a significant leap forward compared to traditional preparation methods that rely on liquid nitrogen and rapid freezing. The core technique, concentric ice-templating, requires no complex equipment; the desired circumferential fibre structure can be stably constructed simply through controlled slow freezing in a standard refrigerator. Prof Lei emphasises that this breakthrough not only enables large-scale production of the hydrogel and dramatically reduces costs, but also lays a solid foundation for future clinical translation and commercial applications.
Molecular Glue That Activates Tissue Self-Repair
While bioinspired hydrogels provide a macro-level structural scaffold for artificial tissues, researchers are taking a microscopic, molecular approach when it comes to the precise repair of specific tissues. This is the focus of the research team led by Wang Chunming, professor in the State Key Laboratory of Mechanism and Quality of Chinese Medicine and the Institute of Chinese Medical Sciences. The polysaccharide glue developed by Prof Wang and his team is not merely a mechanical implant; it is a medium that interacts with the living body and enhances its regenerative abilities at a molecular level.
The polysaccharide glue functions as a hydrogel cushion in the repair of intervertebral discs in the spine. Not only does it mimic the basic structure of human tissues and resist degradation by destructive enzymes within the body, but it also actively captures and stabilises key repair proteins lost within the tissue, achieving a dual-repair mechanism. Prof Wang points out that the polysaccharide glue can carry out in-depth molecular repair of damaged discs, effectively initiating the regeneration process.
Prof Wang highlights that this groundbreaking research is the collaborative efforts of clinicians and experts across multiple fields, including glycobiology, materials chemistry, and biology. Following rigorous ethical reviews, his team obtained valuable clinical samples from the First Affiliated Hospital of Soochow University and analysed the pathological mechanisms of disc degeneration. Building on this, researchers in glycobiology and materials chemistry worked together to design the polysaccharide glue, while biology researchers verified its repair effects using animal models. Throughout the process, clinicians assessed clinical applicability of the glue and the associated histopathological changes.
The polysaccharide glue has shown great therapeutic effects in two animal models, demonstrating its potential for future clinical applications. In the early stages of disc degeneration, the glue can be administered via minimally invasive injection to the spine to provide additional support for degenerating discs. This approach can potentially delay or avoid the need for major surgery. For patients who have already undergone surgery, the glue can fill tissue defects, promote postoperative regeneration and healing, and reduce the risk of recurrence. Prof Wang adds that this innovative research has been validated in animal models, and that his team is actively seeking collaboration with medical and industrial sectors to accelerate its translation into a clinical solution that can genuinely benefit patients.
‘Nano-Missiles’ That Target Cancer Cells With Precision
In the fight against cancer, the role of new materials has evolved from repair and adaptation to active intervention. This requires precise regulation of complex physiological and immune processes in order to target the disease at its source. Nanomaterials, in particular, are held in high regard due to their irreplaceable advantages.
A research team led by Dai Yunlu, associate professor in the Faculty of Health Sciences, focuses on developing innovative nanomaterials to enhance the efficacy of radiotherapy in cancer treatment. The team has developed two materials, basic layered double hydroxide (bLDH) and a tungsten-based nano-radiosensitiser (PWAI), to address treatment challenges from different angles. bLDH acts as an ‘immune coach’ by preserving and delivering tumour antigens. It regulates the acidic environment of phagolysosomes, effectively training the immune system to precisely identify and attack cancer cells. Meanwhile, PWAI enhances the cytotoxic effects of radiation and overcomes immune suppression, opening up new avenues in cancer treatment.
Prof Dai’s research team comprises experts in materials science, immunology, epigenetics, and clinical medicine. They work together to overcome the challenges associated with the use of nanomaterials for biological safety, targeting, and controlled drug release. Prof Dai says that through continuous optimisation of material design, his team has equipped nanomaterials with multiple functions, transforming them into ‘nano-missiles’ that can precisely execute tasks in the complex tumour microenvironment. bLDH can be combined with existing radiotherapy as an immunologic adjuvant to improve the efficiency of tumour antigen presentation and the intensity of the immune response. This makes it particularly suitable for treating ‘cold’ tumours with low immunogenicity, occult tumours, and silent tumours that are difficult to identify with traditional treatments. Meanwhile, PWAI targets tumours with high MYC expression, such as triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC) and certain lung cancer subtypes, which are characterised by rapid proliferation and limited response to radiotherapy. By overcoming immune suppression and enhancing the effects of radiotherapy, PWAI offers a comprehensive strategy for treating these challenging cancers.
The team has established close collaboration with clinicians to explore the expanded application of nano-drugs in preclinical models, while also securing patent applications and research funding to lay the foundation for future clinical trials. Prof Dai believes that nanomaterials will play a pivotal role in precision treatment, immune regulation, and personalised medicine. He also states that bLDH and PWAI, both independently developed by UM, serve as a novel immunologic adjuvant and a dual-epigenetic reprogramming radiosensitiser, respectively, and that they can offer new, comprehensive treatment strategies for various difficult-to-treat tumours, demonstrating their broad application prospects.
Driving the Future of Healthcare With New Materials
UM’s pioneering research demonstrates how new materials are spearheading a transformation in medical technology—from bioinspired hydrogel scaffolds that overcome mechanical mismatch, to molecular glue that activates tissue regeneration, and ‘nano-missiles’ that target tumours with precision. These scientific breakthroughs are all built upon a foundation of interdisciplinary collaboration. As these laboratory innovations advance towards clinical applications, UM’s intellectual achievements will undoubtedly become a powerful force in safeguarding human health.
Text: Kelvin U
Photo: Editorial board, with some provided
English Translation: Winky Kuan
Source: UMagazine Issue 32