Polymer nanogels: Fabrication, structural behavior, and biological applications

Abstract Nanogels are defined as colloids-based hydrogels, representing a three-dimensional network of a hydrophilic polymer in which drugs can be entrapped. Nanogels are soft, conformable, highly permeable, and stimuli-responsive networks, which can be surface-modified with functional groups aiming at conjugation with small and large macromolecules. Nanogels also offer several advantages attributed to their capacity to absorb a significant amount of water. They can be used for targeted drug delivery and bioimaging. This review discusses the different polymers commonly in use for the production of nanogels, as well as their production methods, structural behavior, and potential biological applications.