Supramolecular biomaterials based on ureidopyrimidinone and benzene-1,3,5-tricarboxamide moieties

Supramolecular polymer materials based on hydrogen-bonding motifs have been developed for their use in biomedical applications. In this chapter, the latest advances in supramolecular biomaterials research based on two different hydrogen-bonding units, i.e., the ureidopyrimidinone (UPy) and benzene-1,3,5-tricarboxamide (BTA) moiety, are presented. Based on the chemical structure and the method of formulation, three different types of biomaterials are identified, (i) solid scaffolds, (ii) hydrogels, and (iii) particles in solution. Approximately a decade ago, the first UPy-based materials were introduced in the field of regenerative medicine as solid scaffolds. Most of the subsequent research on UPy biomaterials has focused on scaffold and hydrogel applications for renal regenerative medicine, cardiovascular in situ tissue engineering, and cardiac drug delivery. On the other hand, the disk-like BTA motif and its extended discotic versions have mainly been used as versatile supramolecular nanofibers in solution, for, e.g., cellular drug delivery and medical imaging. In general, a considerable amount of focus is directed toward the supramolecular functionalization of pristine, nonbioactive structures, and a wide variety of molecules, bioactive guests, screening techniques, and potential applications have been explored and are discussed in this chapter. This will show the broad chemical properties and the applicability of hydrogen-bonded supramolecular motifs in the field of regenerative medicine.