Review of Pseudopeptidic Compounds for Biocompatible Gels

Gels are formed when a compound present in a solution self-assembles to form a highly cross-linked fibrillar network in which the solvent molecules remain entrapped. The resulting material has properties that are intermediate between those of liquids and solids. Usually, gels are classified according to the nature of the solvent involved.^{1, 2} Thus, hydrogels refer to gels formed in the presence of water, while organogels are those in which organic solvents are involved.