Heterogeneous hybrid hydrogels comprising emerging resilin-like polypeptides (RLPs) and poly(ethylene glycol) (PEG) can be engineered with controlled microstructure and distinct micromechanical properties <i>via </i>the liquid-liquid phase separation (LLPS) of RLP/PEG aqueous solutions. The phase separation kinetics dictate the microstructure in the hydrogels and can be captured and tuned <i>via </i>degree of RLP-Ac functionalization, variations in the composition of RLP-Ac/PEG-Ac and the timescale of the photocrosslinking. The phase separation of RLP-Ac/PEG-Ac can range from seconds to minutes depending on the compositions, providing multiple options for producing hydrogels with either PEG- or RLP-rich continuous phases. The hydrogels exhibit tunable microscale properties for engineering resilient hydrogels for regeneration of mechanically active tissues.

Microstructured polypeptide-containing hydrogels via aqueous liquid-liquid phase separation

254th National Meeting (2017)

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