Algae-derived materials for tissue engineering and regenerative medicine applications: current trends and future perspectives

Algae are abundant and can be utilized as natural and cost-effective sources of potential biopolymers and biomaterials. Algae-derived polysaccharides with attractive similarity to the human extracellular matrix, unique chemical structures, efficient bioactive materials, significant biocompatibility/low toxicity, renewability, high biodegradability, colloidal characteristics, and moisture-retaining/swelling potentials can be employed as attractive materials for tissue engineering and regenerative medicine applications. Alginate, fucoidan, carrageenan, agarose, and ulvan with their unique physicochemical features and beneficial therapeutic activities have tissue engineering and regenerative medicine potentials. In this review, the main focus will be made on the important applications of algae for tissue engineering and regenerative medicine, and also important challenges and future perspectives are highlighted.