From Seaweed to Science: Alginate Scaffolds in Shaping the Future of Tissue Engineering

Alginate, a natural polysaccharide primarily derived from brown seaweed, is a promising biomaterial for tissue engineering because of its biocompatibility, mild gelation conditions, and tunable physicochemical properties. Alginate-based scaffolds can support cell encapsulation and the localized delivery of therapeutic agents, making them suitable for diverse regenerative applications. Recent advances in crosslinking strategies, chemical modification, nanocomposite incorporation, and fabrication techniques such as three-dimensional (3D) bioprinting have improved scaffold stability, bioactivity, and functional performance. These developments have expanded the potential applications of alginate-based scaffolds in bone, cartilage, skin, neural, and cardiac tissue engineering. However, limitations associated with intrinsic cell adhesion, mechanical strength, and degradation control remain important challenges. Although preclinical studies have demonstrated promising results in several tissue-engineering applications, further investigation is needed to establish long-term functional outcomes, safety, and clinical efficacy. This review discusses the evolving role of alginate scaffolds, from marine-derived hydrogels to engineered biomaterial platforms, and highlights their potential and remaining challenges in next-generation tissue regeneration.