Columbia Engineers Innovate Bioactive Hydrogels from Dairy-Derived EVs

Columbia University engineers have unveiled a groundbreaking framework for developing bioactive injectable hydrogels utilizing extracellular vesicles (EVs) sourced from dairy products, specifically yogurt. This research, published in the journal *Matter* on July 28, 2025, marks a significant advancement in the fields of tissue engineering and regenerative medicine. The team, led by Santiago Correa, Assistant Professor of Biomedical Engineering, has created a hydrogel system where dairy-derived EVs serve dual purposes: acting as bioactive cargo and essential structural components. This innovative approach addresses longstanding challenges in creating biomaterials for regenerative medicine.

Extracellular vesicles, naturally secreted by cells, contain a myriad of biological signals, including proteins and genetic material, that facilitate complex cellular communication. The use of yogurt-derived EVs has provided a practical solution to yield constraints previously encountered in the production of EV-based biomaterials. Correa noted, “This project started as a basic question about how to build EV-based hydrogels. Yogurt EVs gave us a practical tool for that, but they turned out to be more than a model,” demonstrating their inherent regenerative potential which paves the way for new therapeutic materials.

The research team, which includes Kam Leong, a fellow faculty member, and international collaborators such as Elisa Cimetta from the University of Padova, has highlighted the benefits of cross-disciplinary partnerships in advancing biomaterials innovation. By integrating EVs directly into the hydrogel structure, the new material enables sustained delivery of their bioactive signals, making it particularly promising for applications in wound healing and regenerative medicine.

Initial experiments in immunocompetent mice revealed that the yogurt EV hydrogels were biocompatible and exhibited potent angiogenic activity within just one week, leading to the formation of new blood vessels crucial for effective tissue regeneration. The hydrogel also fosters a unique immune environment enriched with anti-inflammatory cells, potentially enhancing tissue repair processes. As Correa and his team pursue further research, they aim to explore how these immune responses can be harnessed to guide tissue regeneration effectively.

This innovative research not only exemplifies the potential of agricultural EVs in fundamental biomaterials research but also highlights their therapeutic promise as next-generation biotechnology. The implications of this work extend beyond laboratory settings; they could significantly impact clinical practices in regenerative medicine, offering new avenues for treating injuries and diseases that current therapies struggle to address.

As the field of biomedical engineering evolves, the integration of naturally derived materials like dairy-based EVs into clinical applications represents a promising frontier, offering enhanced healing processes and improved patient outcomes. The study has opened a new chapter in the utilization of bioactive materials, illustrating the importance of innovative research in addressing real-world medical challenges.