Water as the often neglected medium at the interface between materials and biology

Despite its apparent simplicity, water behaves in a complex manner and is fundamental in controlling many physical, chemical and biological processes. The molecular mechanisms underlying interaction of water with materials, particularly polymer networks such as hydrogels, have received much attentio...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Nature communications 2022-07, Vol.13 (1), p.4222-4222, Article 4222
Main Authors: Dargaville, B. L., Hutmacher, D. W.
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
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Biological activity
Biology
Biomaterials
Biomedical materials
Chemical bonds
Chemical reactions
Heat
Humanities and Social Sciences
Hydrogels
Hydrogen bonds
Interfaces
Mechanical properties
Molecular modelling
multidisciplinary
Perspective
Polymers
Proteins
Science
Science (multidisciplinary)
Solvents
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Summary:Despite its apparent simplicity, water behaves in a complex manner and is fundamental in controlling many physical, chemical and biological processes. The molecular mechanisms underlying interaction of water with materials, particularly polymer networks such as hydrogels, have received much attention in the research community. Despite this, a large gulf still exists in applying what is known to rationalize how the molecular organization of water on and within these materials impacts biological processes. In this perspective, we outline the importance of water in biomaterials science as a whole and give indications for future research directions towards emergence of a complete picture of water, materials and biology. Key to life, water is an often overlooked or over-simplified factor in materials and biology. In this perspective the importance of water in biomaterials is discussed as well as the need to more carefully consider water’s role in every aspect of a biomaterial’s function.
ISSN:2041-1723
2041-1723
DOI:10.1038/s41467-022-31889-x