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27 April 2026

New fully biological hydrogels from human cell secretomes developed at CICECO

New fully biological hydrogels from human cell secretomes developed at CICECO

A research team from CICECO – Aveiro Institute of Materials has developed a new type of fully biological hydrogel derived from substances released by human cells, opening new perspectives for regenerative medicine and tissue repair.

These substances, known as cellular secretomes, are naturally produced and released by cells and contain molecules that regulate processes such as wound healing, tissue regeneration, and the formation of new blood vessels. In this study, CICECO researchers used secretomes from human stem cells obtained from adipose tissue, demonstrating that they can be directly converted into hydrogels without the need for additional artificial materials.

Conventional approaches require incorporating these bioactive substances into synthetic carriers to maintain their activity at the target site, increasing system complexity and limiting control. The CICECO team—Ana Santos-Coquillat, Beatriz Neves, Raquel Gonçalves, Dora Costa, João Mano, and Mariana Oliveira—overcame this limitation by engineering hydrogels composed exclusively of human-derived biological material.

Highly effective materials

The developed hydrogels enable the sustained release of proteins and other bioactive molecules over several days, promoting cell migration and supporting mechanisms associated with tissue regeneration. In laboratory assays, these materials showed higher efficacy than biological supplements commonly used in cell culture.

The researchers also demonstrated that the physical properties of the hydrogels can be tuned, allowing adjustment of stiffness or flexibility according to the intended clinical application. Furthermore, the materials supported cell adhesion and the organization of early vascular-like structures, a critical requirement for functional tissue regeneration.

This work represents a step forward in the development of fully biological, human-derived biomaterials, with strong potential for customization and application in wound healing, tissue engineering, regenerative medicine, and advanced therapies. It reinforces CICECO’s contribution to the development of next-generation biomaterials with translational relevance.

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