Dynamic Biomaterials
Despite impressive progress in polymer chemistry and synthetic biology, emulating the adaptive properties of living matter remains a challenge for biomaterial scientists. We exploit synthetic phototriggers and photoresponsive biological processes to design materials with latent functional levels that can be unlocked upon light exposure. Property changes can be initiated, reinforced, or terminated on demand with precise spatiotemporal control. Our dynamic materials are used to guide specific cell processes in vitro and in vivo. They capture the dynamics of multifaceted interactions between cells and natural scaffolds in relevant medical scenarios like cellular migration, angiogenesis, and immunoregulation. We translate the findings from this research into predictive tissue models for personalized therapeutics and instructive scaffolds for regenerative medicine.