The closure and repair of wounds after traumatic or surgical injury is of significant clinical importance and a daily occurrence. While sutures remain the common wound closure technique, they possess many disadvantages. Consequently, polymeric hydrogel sealants and adhesives are emerging as essential biomaterials for wound management and repair. Via detailed structure-property relationship studies, we identified hydrogels with targeted biodegradation, mechanical, adhesive, and swelling properties for repair of ocular wounds and cartilage defects. This seminal discovery in collaboration with ophthalmologist Dr. Terry Kim led to the commercialization of OcuSeal® and subsequently the Adherus Surgical Sealants®. Given the trauma and pain associated with the care of second-degree burns, we are now developing hydrogel dressings, which adhere to tissue, swell to absorb exudate, and prevent bacterial infection along with the unique feature of on-demand dissolution with Drs. Nazarian and Rodriguez. The mechanism of hydrogel dissolution relies on the thiol-thioester exchange reaction. These new dressing may provide a means to repeatably change dressings in a pain-free manner.