Fibrous hydrogels are omnipresent in the human body. At very low protein concentrations, they form stable, porous networks that are the basis for mechanical characteristics of cytoskeleton and the extracellular matrix. The network gels in our bodies are not static; they respond to physical, chemical and cellular cues that adapt their properties.<br/>Such architecture and behavior is not readily realized in synthetic materials. Recently, however, we developed a hydrogel that closely mimics the fibrous structure as well as the linear and nonlinear mechanical properties of cytoskeletal and extracellular matrix materials. The synthetic nature of the material allows us to tune the (mechanical) properties by changing straightforward parameters, like polymer length, concentration and environmental conditions, which can be applied <i>in situ</i>.<br/>In this presentation, we will discuss the application of these synthetic materials for cell culturing experiments.

Polyisocyanide hydrogels: Combining synthetic tailorability with biological properties

ACS Fall 2021

The official archive and repository for all ACS Meetings & Expositions abstracts and select posters or presentations.