Objectives

1. To design hydrogel scaffolds and nanoparticles with decoupled variations in degradation, biochemical composition, and mechanical and physical properties.

2. To identify hydrogel matrix properties leading to optimal tissue remodeling and controlled release of hydrophilic therapeutics of different size and conformation for tissue-targeted drug delivery.

3. To identify the efficacy of sustained release of phosphate-based therapeutics in suppressing collagenolytic activity of pathogens that impair intestinal healing.