In Situ Forming Hydrogels with Tunable Mechanics for Biomedical Applications

Abstract

Hydrogels are widely used as scaffolds for biomedical applications including tissue engineering and drug delivery. Hydrogels are generally developed by crosslinking hydrophilic monomers (or macromonomers). Since many crosslinking reactions themselves or additives (e.g. initiators and catalysts) often display cytotoxicity, it is desirable to employ “in situ” crosslinking reactions which occurs under mild conditions and does not involve the use of initiator. Herein, biocompatible hydrogels developed by Schiff base formation that are readily formed under physiological condition and capable of are presented; (1) poly(ethylene glycol) diacrylate (PEGDA) - polyethyleneimine hydrogels, (2) PEGylated chitosan – PEG dialdehyde hydrogels, and (3) alginate - polyaspartamide hydrogels. Their physicomechanical properties controlled via physical parameters (e.g. polymer concentration, molecular weight, and graft density) as well as biocompatibility are evaluated.