The purpose of this study is to develop a novel bone replacement using <i>in situ</i> polymerization of thiol-acrylate polymers with adipose tissue derived adult stem cells (hASCs), and to analyze the relationship between cell attachment and these polymer properties. Specifically, Trimethylolpropane ethoxylate triacrylate-co-trimethylolpropane tris (3-mercaptopropionate) (TMPeTA-co-TMPTMP) was synthesized with hydroxyapatite (HA) by an amine-catalyzed Michael addition reaction. Two different average molecular weights of 692 and 912 were used for the synthesis and further experimentation. Initial characterization studies were performed to determine the temperature profile during the exothermic reaction showing a peak temperature of 42°C. To prevent hyperthermic cell damage and death during the exothermic polymerization procedure, the hASCs were encapsulated in alginate beads. Cell viability experiments within the polymeric scaffold were performed using Alamar blue dye exclusion method, as well as fluorescent dyes: Calcein-AM (live) and Ethidium homodimer-1 (dead), which shows viability of cells inside the samples.

Analysis and characterization of thiol-acrylate polymers for use as biomaterials

251st National Meeting (2016)

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