Multifunctional composite microgels: From structural design to biomedical applications

Microgels, micrometer-sized hydrogel particles, have emerged as versatile platforms for biomedical applications. Recent advances have driven the development of composite microgels that integrate polymers, nanomaterials, and bioactive agents to achieve precise control over their properties. In this review, we provide a comprehensive overview by establishing a systematic framework that links the structural design to the mechanisms of cell regulation, and ultimately to biomedical applications. We examine how composite microgels regulate cells by their intrinsic material cues, including the mechanical, biochemical, and architectural properties, as well as by dynamic mechanisms, such as on-demand stimuli-responsiveness and autonomous pre-programmed kinetics. We then illustrate how these principles are applied across cancer therapy, tissue engineering, and regenerative medicine. Finally, we discuss key challenges of scalability, biosafety, and clinical integration, and outline future perspectives, such as the role of AI-driven design, in advancing personalized medicine and regenerative therapies.