In his doctoral dissertation, Sumanta Samanta developed next-generation hydrogels — soft, gel-like biomaterials —that can mimic the body’s own extracellular matrix and guide tissue healing. The research demonstrates how engineering natural materials results in hydrogels that support cell growth, reduce harmful immune responses, and integrate seamlessly with human tissue —offering fresh hope for conditions ranging from brain injuries to vision loss.
“Our goal was to design materials that don’t just survive in the body but actively guide healing. By drawing inspiration from nature, we were able to create scaffolds that combine mechanical strength with immune-friendly properties”, says Sumanta.
The findings are particularly relevant today, as the demand for regenerative solutions to treat neurodegenerative diseases, corneal blindness, and chronic wounds continues to grow worldwide.
“Millions of patients suffer from conditions where conventional treatments fall short — from chronic wounds to donor shortages in corneal transplants. Our findings show that nature-inspired materials could help bridge that gap and pave the way for safer, more effective therapies”, explains Sumanta.
Sumanta’s research directly addresses these unmet needs by offering biocompatible, sustainable, and innovative materials that could reduce reliance on donor tissues and improve patient outcomes. His research led to several key breakthroughs that advance the field of tissue engineering and regenerative medicine.
Among the innovations is a brain-mimicking scaffold that promotes the growth of nerve cells, as well as an immunosuppressive hydrogel designed to reduce inflammation and support wound healing. In collaboration with Dr. Anni Mörö, senior researcher at Tampere University & COO of Stemsight, he also developed a novel bioink for 3D bioprinting of corneal tissue, enabling printed structures to integrate with host tissue without the need for light-based crosslinking.
At the heart of these developments is a clever approach: incorporating natural polyphenols—such as dopamine and gallic acid, compounds also found in foods like tea and berries—into hyaluronan-based hydrogels. The study shows that these natural additives significantly enhance the biological performance and therapeutic potential of the materials.
Looking ahead, the study opens the door to translating these multifunctional hydrogels into real-world therapies.
“The next step is to move from laboratory models to clinical applications. Our group aim to refine these materials for targeted use in brain repair, vision restoration, and wound healing, with the ultimate goal of bringing safe, nature-inspired solutions to patients who currently have limited treatment options”, Sumanta concludes.
Sumanta Samanta is originally from India. He is currently working as a RnD Scientist at GlucoModicum Ltd, which is a start-up company developing a needle-free continuous glucose monitoring technology based on non-invasive needle-free magnetohydrodynamic technology to improve the millions of lives of people with diabetes. As a Biomaterials specialist, he is developing biocompatible skin-sensor interfaces for advanced biosensing applications.
Public defence on Friday 12 September
The doctoral dissertation of M.Sc. Sumanta Samanta in the field of medicine, biosciences and biomedical engineering titled Dopamine and Gallol Functionalized Hyaluronic Acid Hydrogels: A formidable strategy to enhance stability and bioactivity will be publicly examined at the Faculty of Medicine and Health Technology at Tampere University at 12 o’clock on Friday 12.9.2025. The Opponent will be Prof. Dr. sc. nat. Martin Ehrbar from University Hospital Zurich. The Custos will be Associate Professor Oommen Podiyan Oommen from Tampere University.