Fudan University Researchers Develop Smart Hydrogel for Stage-Specific Wound Treatment

A research team from Fudan University has developed a hydrogel technology that responds to microenvironment changes in wounds, enabling precise, stage-specific treatment of infected injuries. The material, constructed from an interpenetrating network of sodium alginate and carboxymethyl chitosan, contains tannic acid and zinc-doped bioactive glass components that release functional agents based on pH levels in the wound environment.

Led by Prof. Xiangchao Meng, the team designed the hydrogel to sense pH changes and dynamically adjust its therapeutic behavior. During infection when wounds typically become acidic, the gel contracts and releases tannic acid to kill bacteria and reduce oxidative stress. As healing progresses and the environment becomes more alkaline, the gel expands and gradually releases zinc and calcium ions that promote angiogenesis and tissue regeneration.

In preclinical rat models with infected wounds, the hydrogel achieved over 90% wound closure within just 14 days, significantly outperforming standard treatments. Histological analysis revealed enhanced collagen deposition, reduced inflammation, and improved blood vessel formation in treated wounds. The research findings are documented in the journal Biomedical Technology with the DOI 10.1016/j.bmt.2025.100120.

The hydrogel's ability to remain inert in healthy tissue and activate only under pathological conditions represents a significant advancement in wound care technology. This feature reduces drug overuse and limits the need for frequent dressing changes, making it particularly promising for treating complex wounds like diabetic foot ulcers or post-surgical infections where traditional treatments often fall short.

According to Meng, this dual-function system adapts to each healing stage and actively assists the process, representing a step toward intelligent wound management. The technology demonstrates how materials that can respond to biological signals could redefine approaches to injury and disease treatment. The research was supported by multiple funding sources including the Youth Program of Minhang Hospital, Shanghai Minhang District Medical Specialty Construction Project, Natural science research projects of Minhang District, and Zhejiang Provincial Medicine and Health Technology Project.

The development of this microenvironment-responsive hydrogel addresses a critical need in wound care where current treatments often fail to address the dynamic nature of healing processes. By providing precise, stage-specific control of therapeutic agents, the technology could reduce healing times, minimize complications, and improve outcomes for patients with chronic or infected wounds. The team is now exploring clinical translation and broader applications of this intelligent material system.