Multifunctional Hydrogels for Biomedical Applications, By Ricardo A.Pires, IvaPashkuleva, and Rui L.Reis, Wiley‐VCH GmbH, 2022. 384 pp. €149.00 (hardback). ISBN: 9783527347162. Scope: Handbook, Reference, Textbook. Level: Advanced Undergraduate, Post

Currently, hydrogel reported as biomaterial are used extensively in many research. There are promising potential hydrogels in various medical treatments that play a role in promoting the growth of cells and tissues. Hydrogels have been widely used in biomedical such as tissue engineering, regenerative medicine, drug delivery, and various treatments in health issues. However, it requires specific techniques and modifications because they have extensive characteristics and applications. The book comprehensively explains basic hydrogels, hydrogels properties, developments, and various applications of hydrogels. In addition, the authors also present a review of the latest technology in hydrogel development to provide scientific information. In 14 chapters, this book illustrates the concept of multifunctional hydrogels in biomedical, along with details in each chapter. The author describes general information about extracellular matrix (ECM) hydrogels in the first chapter. While in the second chapter explained that collagen has unique properties with some critical ECM roles. The ECM has been known to maintain tissue integrity. The discussion of hydrogels designed by elastin and enzymes for regeneration is presented in Chapters 3 and 4. In the following Chapters 5, 6, and 7 describe peptide hydrogel, which refers to polymers with a simple structure. The book would make it very simple for a reader unfamiliar with the peptide so that it is easy to understand. Additionally, topics of recent advances in cancer treatment that refer to supramolecular assemblies that can be used to encapsulate immunomodulatory agents or cells for cancer treatment were discussed in Chapter 8. Supramolecular assemblies can be designed to inhibit specific protein–protein interactions that are crucial for cancer progression. In Chapter 9, we can understand zwitterionic polymer chains as their main structural components of polyzwitterionic hydrogels, which have advantages as wound dressing. It is expected to bring developments in the field of biomaterials. Modulating cellular behavior such as wound healing and tissue regeneration requires the extracellular matrix that provides the environment and can absorb and retain large amounts of water. Furthermore, Chapters 10, 11, and 12, respectively, explained the design of hydrogel based on hyaluronan, which is a type of glycosaminoglycan found in the body naturally, manipulation of fluids at the microscale, and optimization in drug delivery with chip microfluidic. Finally, the author described clearly in the last two chapters how small particles or granules have a role in tissue engineering to promote tissue repair. Hydrogels can also be applied to wounds to create a moist environment that supports the natural healing process. Overall, the authors present comprehensive materials concerning modified, developed, and applied hydrogels in the biomedical. All the chapters are written completely based on the latest study. Moreover, the authors discuss hydrogels from various multidisciplinary sciences, such as biology, chemistry, materials science, nanotechnology, and medicine. Some of the chapters in this book have a conclusion. Thus, the reader can easily understand each content quickly and provide an overview of potential hydrogels in the future. We appreciate the author for writing this book with simple language, a structured format, and illustrations, to make it easy for readers to understand complex content. This book is strongly recommended as a reference for undergraduates, postgraduates, researchers, specialists, scientists, engineers, and anyone who wants to enhance their knowledge about hydrogels. The authors would like to thank Lembaga Pengelola Dana Pendidikan (LPDP) for supporting the publication of this article. The authors declare no conflicts of interest.