Applications of click and click-to-release chemistry in biomaterials to advance skin regeneration

Abstract

Achieving skin regeneration following destruction of the epidermis and dermis (e.g. full-thickness wounds) has remained an unachieved goal. The wound healing response is complex and consists of multiple overlapping phases which are tightly choreographed by the ebb and flow of effector molecules. Mimicking this spatiotemporal aspect in pro-regenerative biomaterials may enhance their efficacy and eventually lead to skin regeneration. However, robust spatiotemporal signalling has remained difficult to achieve. The field of bioorthogonal click and click-to-release chemistry may be key to creating spatiotemporal signalling biomaterials. The ability to safely and effectively conjugate or release molecules in complex biological environments has transformed many areas of research. In this review, we aim to highlight the complex nature of wound healing and address how click and click-to-release chemistry approaches could contribute to the development of biomaterials with spatiotemporal control over effector molecules.