Negatively charged polyelectrolyte gels as bio-tissue model system and for biomedical application

Polyelectrolyte gels are charged polymer networks with macro-ions fixed on the polymer chains. In the present paper, the fundamental aspects, properties and application of negatively charged polyelectrolyte gels are reviewed, focusing on the interaction between polyelectrolyte gels and proteins, the surface friction and mechanical strength of polyelectrolyte gels. These characteristic properties of polyelectrolyte gels have considerable potential for practical application, such as soft scaffold of cells, construction of biomimetic actuator and replacement of biological tissues.