From:  Essential molecular biology methods in biomaterials research: a guide for emerging investigators

 Applications of PCR in the evaluation of biological responses to biomaterials

ApplicationTarget genesModel or systemBiological purposeBenefitsRef.
Quantification of the expression of inflammation/regenerationIL6, iNOS, ACANEx vivo model of intervertebral disc degenerationEvaluate the effectiveness of the treatment with collagen hydrogels to promote immunomodulationReal-time tracking of the effectiveness of the treatment on the inflammatory pathology[24]
Plasmonic thermocycling RT-qPCR for rapid diagnosticsSARS-CoV-2 RNA (including variants)Human saliva and nasal specimens with a plasmonic nanoparticle-enhanced PCR systemReal-time detection and quantification of viral RNA in clinical samplesHigh sensitivity and specificity, reduced thermocycling time, compact and portable for point-of-care diagnostics[76]
Evaluation of cardiac tissue response to conductive hydrogelCardiac-specific markersMouse intracardial injection model; 3D culture of human iPSC-derived cardiomyocytesTo assess the biocompatibility and functional integration of reverse thermal hydrogel in cardiac tissue engineeringEnables minimally invasive delivery, in situ gelation, and evaluation of cardiac gene expression profiles[77]
Improvement of decellularized extracellular matrix scaffolds for liver bioengineeringNano-graphene oxide crosslinked decellularized liver scaffoldMouse liver failure modelLiver tissue regeneration: an alternative to donor organ transplantationInhibits enzymatic degradation (MMPs); promotes M2 macrophage polarization; reduces inflammation; improves scaffold longevity and function[78]

MMPs: matrix metalloproteinases; M2 macrophage: immune cells associated with a prohealing phenotype