Development of alginates enriched with peptides (such as RGD, YIGSR, etc.) to promote cell adhesion, proliferation and differentiation.

This improves cell integration in three-dimensional (3D) scaffolds compared to ‘neutral’ alginates.

At Proalg, we seek to produce alginates coupled with peptides to promote cell-matrix interaction. 

Potential application: tissue regeneration matrices, localised release of growth factors retained in the scaffold.

Use of high-purity alginate as a key component in bioinks for 3D printing, enabling layer-by-layer construction of structures with living cells.

Control of rheology, viscosity, rapid gelation and low shear to protect cells during printing.

ProAlg can collaborate in developing a 3D culture system based on alginate foam free of animal components, with release of enzyme-free cells for R&D applications.

Potential innovation for ProAlg: optimisation of formulations that allow higher resolution, printing with multiple materials, and compatibility with sensitive cells (e.g. stem cells).

New microfluidic strategies for producing alginate fibres or capsules with controlled inclusions (e.g., internal droplets, drug-loaded cores, or cells).

A recent example proposes a highly efficient ‘drops-in-jet’ system for the continuous manufacture of fibres with regular inclusions. 

Applications: cell encapsulation, controlled release systems (‘drug depots’), microfilaments for cell orientation in tissue engineering.

Modulation of alginate gel degradation through chemical modifications (e.g., mild oxidation, additional cross-linking, co-polymerisation with other polymers).

By designing degradation algorithms (pH, presence of ions, local enzymes), the release rate of drugs or bioactive factors can be controlled.

Possible approach: mixing alginates of different molecular weights or G/M ratios (guluronate/manuronate) to ‘program’ structural integrity.

By integrating degradable peptides sensitive to local enzymes (e.g., MMPs), targeted release in specific tissue environments can be achieved.

Incorporate nanoparticles (oxide nanoparticles, silica nanoparticles, graphene, magnetic nanoparticles) into the alginate matrix to provide additional functionalities: conductivity, mechanical strength, magnetic response, stimulated release.

This turns alginate into a ‘smart hydrogel’: external stimulation (magnetism, light, heat) can modulate its behaviour.

Example of application: biomedical gold where nanoparticles release therapeutic agents under stimulation, or sensors integrated into cellular scaffolds.

Improvements in purification processes.

Optimisation of algae use and selection (improved marine strains, algal biotechnology) to produce polysaccharides with less variability from the source.

Integration of circular economy strategies: reuse of by-products, recovery of process waste.

ProAlg focuses on advancing carbon footprint metrics.