Supramolecular photo-responsive hydrogels are prepared from partial methacrylation of branched polyethylenimine (PEI). The properties of the PEI-based hydrogels in terms of swelling and porosity can be controlled during synthesis by the amount of functional methacrylate groups on the polymer backbone. The hydrogel microstructure was characterized using several techniques including small-angle x-ray scattering and fluorescence microscopy to visualize the gel porous network. The PEI-based hydrogels are activated by multi-photon laser irradiation and can be patterned on the micron scale when molecular probes with free carboxylic acid or hydroxyl groups are present in solution. This approach offers the possibility for precise immobilization of bioactive signals into three-dimensional matrices without the need of a photoinitiator. Direct patterning of the hydrogel matrix in solutions with several types of biomolecules was demonstrated in multi-photon confocal microscopy experiments.
Photo-Responsive polyethylenimine hydrogels for microfabrication of cell-active platforms / Santonicola, Mariagabriella; A., Paciello. - STAMPA. - (2014). (Intervento presentato al convegno 2014 MRS Spring Meeting & Exhibit tenutosi a San Francisco (CA), USA nel April 21-25, 2014).
Photo-Responsive polyethylenimine hydrogels for microfabrication of cell-active platforms
SANTONICOLA, MARIAGABRIELLA;
2014
Abstract
Supramolecular photo-responsive hydrogels are prepared from partial methacrylation of branched polyethylenimine (PEI). The properties of the PEI-based hydrogels in terms of swelling and porosity can be controlled during synthesis by the amount of functional methacrylate groups on the polymer backbone. The hydrogel microstructure was characterized using several techniques including small-angle x-ray scattering and fluorescence microscopy to visualize the gel porous network. The PEI-based hydrogels are activated by multi-photon laser irradiation and can be patterned on the micron scale when molecular probes with free carboxylic acid or hydroxyl groups are present in solution. This approach offers the possibility for precise immobilization of bioactive signals into three-dimensional matrices without the need of a photoinitiator. Direct patterning of the hydrogel matrix in solutions with several types of biomolecules was demonstrated in multi-photon confocal microscopy experiments.I documenti in IRIS sono protetti da copyright e tutti i diritti sono riservati, salvo diversa indicazione.
