The approach is modelled on nature. The soft, water-based material mimics the environment of cells and is electrically active at the same time. It can bind growth factors and release them in a controlled manner using weak electrical impulses without altering their effect. This opens up a new dimension for controlling biological processes directly in the body.
The hydrogel also functions as a sensor. For example, it measures the oxygen content and reacts with electrical signals, which in turn trigger biological reactions. This ability to provide feedback makes the material particularly interesting for applications in medical technology and regenerative medicine. This represents a strategic advance for the life sciences. In future, implants could not only measure or stimulate, but also intelligently combine both functions. In the future, this could lead to new therapeutic approaches, for example for diseases of the nervous system or for more precise interfaces between the brain and computer.
The clinical application is still in its infancy, but the direction is clear. With this approach, Dresden is positioning itself as a key centre of innovation at the interface of biotechnology, materials science and digital medicine.
News of "Technische Universität Dresden" from 31 March 2026