An interdisciplinary framework for the characterization of extracellular matrix-hydrogels for biomedical applications

Polymeric hydrogels mimicking the extracellular matrix (ECM) have become increasingly attractive in biomedical science research due to their tunability and biocompatibility to obtain desirable and unique properties. However, hydrogel development and characterization require an interdisciplinary approach that is seldom fully achieved because it needs an extraordinary degree of researcher skill. With this review, we combine the knowledge on chemistry, material science, and biology by critically discussing the available tools to properly characterize ECM hydrogels and interpreting the resulting data, leading to an accurate roadmap to be applied in this exciting field. ECM hydrogel development and characterization involve a wide array of interdisciplinary tools; this review will appeal to chemists, material scientists, engineers, and biologists working in the field. This review provides a concise, complete, and easy-to-follow guide for advanced undergraduates, early postgraduate researchers, the industry (Medtech, Pharma, and Biotech), as well as experts in this interdisciplinary field.