Thermo-sensitive injectable scaffolds for regenerative medicine

The main goal of this chapter is to provide an introduction of currently available in situ-forming hydrogel scaffolds. In situ-forming hydrogel scaffolds are based on the idea that if the liquid-to-gel phase transition takes place at body temperature, certain materials can be prepared as a liquid and then form a in situ macroscopic gel by a syringe injection of their aqueous solutions at target sites. In tissue engineering, the gel can be applied as a scaffold with unique properties of easy handling and minimal invasiveness. This chapter summarizes in situ-forming hydrogel scaffolds, especially via electrostatic and hydrophobic physical interactions, and briefly explains their application as scaffolds in tissue engineering.