Dual Stimuli-Responsive Pullulan-Based Polymeric Hydrogels for Controlled Drug Delivery and Tissue Engineering

Location

Canada Research Chair (Tier 1) in Rheology for the Development of Advanced Polymeric Materials
École de technologie supérieure (ÉTS), Montreal, Canada

Context

Pullulan is a bio-based, biocompatible polysaccharide whose exceptional molecular regularity distinguishes it from other natural polymers such as chitosan, dextran, or hyaluronan. This structural homogeneity enables precise chemical control and opens the way to well-defined functionalization and the design of smart materials. Despite its well-established biocompatibility, pullulan remains underexploited in advanced materials, making it a promising platform for biomedical innovation.

Stimuli-responsive polymers capable of responding dynamically to environmental changes represent a major opportunity for applications such as controlled drug delivery and tissue engineering. Dual temperature- and pH-responsive systems allow fine tuning of swelling, diffusion, and release kinetics of active compounds, enabling targeted therapeutic strategies.

PhD Objectives

This project aims to chemically modify pullulan to obtain a dual temperature- and pH-responsive polymer and to develop printable hydrogels capable of encapsulating and releasing active agents in a controlled manner for advanced biomedical applications.

Research Plan

The PhD candidate will:

1. Chemically modify pullulan using click chemistry to introduce controlled functional groups
2. Explore additional synthetic routes to tune responsiveness and mechanical properties
3. Formulate functional polymer hydrogels
4. Characterize rheological and viscoelastic behavior
5. Develop 3D-printable hydrogel inks
6. Evaluate encapsulation and controlled release of active compounds
7. Validate performance for drug delivery and tissue engineering applications

Research Environment

During this PhD, the student will develop strong expertise in polymer chemistry, rheology, and biomedical materials engineering. The project provides training in macromolecular synthesis, hydrogel formulation, advanced characterization, and additive manufacturing of biomaterials. Opportunities for clinical and international collaboration, innovation, and technology transfer are integral to the project.

The candidate will join the Canada Research Chair in Polymer Rheology at ÉTS, an internationally recognized research environment with state-of-the-art facilities in rheology, polymer processing, additive manufacturing, and smart polymer systems. The research is conducted in collaboration with the University of São Paulo (Brazil) and the CRCHUM (Montreal), providing a unique interdisciplinary and international training environment.