Alginate-based biomaterials are widely used in regenerative medicine due to their biocompatibility, biodegradability, and ability to be processed into various forms such as hydrogels, microspheres, and scaffolds. These materials can serve as drug delivery systems and cell carriers for tissue engineering. Alginate can be modified through chemical and physical methods to create derivatives with diverse structures and functions. By combining alginate with other biomaterials, immobilizing ligands, or crosslinking, its properties such as biodegradability, mechanical strength, and cell affinity can be tailored. This review highlights recent advancements in alginate and its derivatives for biomedical applications, including wound healing, cartilage repair, bone regeneration, and drug delivery. Alginate hydrogels are formed through ionic crosslinking, phase transition, cell-crosslinking, free radical polymerization, and "click" reactions. Ionic crosslinking with divalent cations is the most common method, but it has limitations in drug loading and mechanical strength. Phase transition hydrogels respond to temperature changes, while cell-crosslinked hydrogels enhance cell adhesion. Free radical polymerization allows for controlled gelation and cell encapsulation, while "click" reactions enable the creation of biodegradable hydrogels with specific functions. Alginate-based microspheres are used for delivering cells, growth factors, and drugs. They can be fabricated through emulsion techniques and offer good biocompatibility. Solid-sphere alginate microspheres can be used for drug delivery and as cell carriers. Porous alginate scaffolds provide a three-dimensional structure for cell growth and tissue regeneration. Freeze-dried scaffolds are easy to fabricate and can be modified to enhance their properties. Alginate-based nanofibers mimic the extracellular matrix and are used for tissue engineering. They can be fabricated via electrospinning and offer good mechanical and biological properties. Alginate-based scaffolds have been used in wound healing, cartilage repair, and bone regeneration. They provide a supportive environment for cell growth and tissue repair. Alginate-based materials are also used in drug delivery, offering controlled release of drugs and bioactive molecules. Overall, alginate-based biomaterials show great potential in regenerative medicine due to their versatility and biocompatibility. However, further research is needed to optimize their properties for specific applications. The development of novel alginate-based materials with enhanced functionality is crucial for advancing tissue engineering and regenerative medicine.Alginate-based biomaterials are widely used in regenerative medicine due to their biocompatibility, biodegradability, and ability to be processed into various forms such as hydrogels, microspheres, and scaffolds. These materials can serve as drug delivery systems and cell carriers for tissue engineering. Alginate can be modified through chemical and physical methods to create derivatives with diverse structures and functions. By combining alginate with other biomaterials, immobilizing ligands, or crosslinking, its properties such as biodegradability, mechanical strength, and cell affinity can be tailored. This review highlights recent advancements in alginate and its derivatives for biomedical applications, including wound healing, cartilage repair, bone regeneration, and drug delivery. Alginate hydrogels are formed through ionic crosslinking, phase transition, cell-crosslinking, free radical polymerization, and "click" reactions. Ionic crosslinking with divalent cations is the most common method, but it has limitations in drug loading and mechanical strength. Phase transition hydrogels respond to temperature changes, while cell-crosslinked hydrogels enhance cell adhesion. Free radical polymerization allows for controlled gelation and cell encapsulation, while "click" reactions enable the creation of biodegradable hydrogels with specific functions. Alginate-based microspheres are used for delivering cells, growth factors, and drugs. They can be fabricated through emulsion techniques and offer good biocompatibility. Solid-sphere alginate microspheres can be used for drug delivery and as cell carriers. Porous alginate scaffolds provide a three-dimensional structure for cell growth and tissue regeneration. Freeze-dried scaffolds are easy to fabricate and can be modified to enhance their properties. Alginate-based nanofibers mimic the extracellular matrix and are used for tissue engineering. They can be fabricated via electrospinning and offer good mechanical and biological properties. Alginate-based scaffolds have been used in wound healing, cartilage repair, and bone regeneration. They provide a supportive environment for cell growth and tissue repair. Alginate-based materials are also used in drug delivery, offering controlled release of drugs and bioactive molecules. Overall, alginate-based biomaterials show great potential in regenerative medicine due to their versatility and biocompatibility. However, further research is needed to optimize their properties for specific applications. The development of novel alginate-based materials with enhanced functionality is crucial for advancing tissue engineering and regenerative medicine.