Hydrogels are polymeric materials widely used in medicine due to their similarity with the biological components of the body. Hydrogels are biocompatible materials that promote cell proliferation and tissue support because of their hydrophilic nature, porous structure and elastic properties. The objective of this research is to obtain poly (ethylene glycol) diacrylate (PEGDA) based polysaccharide interpenetrating networks (or double networks). The mechanical and structural features of the PEGDA hydrogel was modulated by comprising polysaccharide networks, such as gelatin, chitosan, and alginate. Firstly, methacrylate modified polysaccharides were synthesized with methacrylic anhydride. Moreover, microwave synthesis of the PEGDA macromere was completed using linear poly (ethylene glycol) (PEG) and an excess of methacrylic anhydride. Secondly, the synthesized and lyophilized polysaccharide-methacrylate was completely dissolved in phosphate buffered saline and mixed with PEGDA aqueous solution. Finally, the completely dissolved mixture of both polymers was UV cured using a commercial photo-initiator, Irgacure 184 (1-Hydroxy-cyclohexyl-phenyl-ketone) at 365 nm wavelength. The mechanical, rheological properties and swelling characteristics of the cured hydrogels were investigated. Altogether, the biomaterial hydrogel properties open the way for applications in the field of medicine. Mechanical properties of these hydrogels were demonstrated to be tunable for various biomedical applications through modification in the degree of methacrylation and the gel-chemical composition. The characterization of the systems suggests that the produced hydrogels could find applications in complex tissue engineering.<br/>

Designing and production of UV-curable double-network hydrogels for tissue engineering applications by amalgamation of PEGDA macromere with polysaccharides

2019 Spring National Meeting

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