The use of hydrogels in biomedical applications provides controlled extracellular matrix mimics to study cell behavior in relation to the cell microenvironment. Moreover, the ability to pattern chemical and mechanical signals in theses hydrogels provides complexity akin to that found in biological tissues. Current hydrogels for these studies have a limited range of properties and are crosslinked with chemistry that does not decouple mechanical properties from changes in chemical signals. Here, we present crosslinking of hyaluronic acid and carboxymethyl cellulose (renewably sourced polysaccharides) with thiol-norbornene chemistry that permits orthogonal photopatterning reactions and extensive hydrogel modification. To obtain this control, the polysaccharides were functionalized with pendent norbornene groups that were crosslinked with a di-thiol linker through a UV-light initiated reaction. By limiting the extent of initial norbornene conversion, secondary photopatterned reactions were able to orthogonally and spatially modify mechanical properties and molecule presentation.

Spatial and temporal control of polysaccharide hydrogels through the thiol-norbornene reaction

247th National Meeting (2014)

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