Peptide and protein-like hydrogels, synthesis, and applications in biomedicine

Peptide and protein therapies have led to revolutionary changes in the treatment and prevention of disease worldwide, including hypertension, diabetes, infection and inflammatory disorders. This chapter will look at how one of nature’s most important building blocks can be utilised as an advanced hydrogel material with inherent drug delivery and biomaterial properties. Central themes covered include: their synthesis and manufacture at both laboratory and industrial scale; regulatory aspects that inform their clinical translation and the benefits of peptides in the context of medicine and how these may be overcome using peptide-mimetic molecules. The chapter also looks at several important applications for hydrogel systems alongside challenges to their future development and use including within treatment of hormone dysfunction, cancer, as long-acting drug delivery systems and infection.