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Controlling Hydrogel Mechanical Properties Using Kinetically Controlled Reactions

Hua, Geng
http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=akron1398460511

Abstract Details

2014, Master of Science, University of Akron, Polymer Science.
To show the significance of how substrate properties could impact cell behavior. Many groups are focused preparing scaffolds that enable one to tune the mechanical properties widely without altering chemistry. Hydrogels have been a promising candidate for this study due to their variable mechanical properties such as modulus, stiffness and swollen ratio. Previous research has incorporated various chemistries into the hydrogel systems and studied cell response to gels with different mechanical properties. In this work, 4-arm PEG capped with ketone end groups was synthesized and used as the building block for the hydrogels. Two types of cross-linkers: a 4-arm aminooxy cross-linker and a 2-arm aminooxy cross-linker with an alkene pendent group were synthesized. The chemistry involved in gelation is oxime ligation between ketone or aldehyde groups and aminooxy groups. To show the tunable mechanical properties of this cross-linked system, rheology experiments were performed on hydrogels that were prepared under different conditions. Degradation experiments were also carried out to further explore the detailed structural properties of the hydrogels. This study shows the potential for fabricating mechanically distinguishable hydrogels using the same precursors but different buffer concentrations, buffer pH values and ratios of different cross-linkers. These results lead to a potential of using this system as a platform for various cell culture scaffolds. Detailed requirement of hydrogels for tissue engineering are introduced in Chapter II. Previous researches on similar hydrogels system are discussed as well. Chapter III describes synthesis and characterizations of the hydrogel precursors.Chapter IV discusses the results of the experiments and is followed by Chapter V, a summary of our findings from this proposed hydrogel system.
Matthew Becker, Dr. (Advisor)
Abraham Joy, Dr. (Committee Member)
Polymer Chemistry

Recommended Citations

Citations

  • Hua, G. (2014). Controlling Hydrogel Mechanical Properties Using Kinetically Controlled Reactions [Master's thesis, University of Akron]. OhioLINK Electronic Theses and Dissertations Center. http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=akron1398460511

    APA Style (7th edition)

  • Hua, Geng. Controlling Hydrogel Mechanical Properties Using Kinetically Controlled Reactions. 2014. University of Akron, Master's thesis. OhioLINK Electronic Theses and Dissertations Center, http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=akron1398460511.

    MLA Style (8th edition)

  • Hua, Geng. "Controlling Hydrogel Mechanical Properties Using Kinetically Controlled Reactions." Master's thesis, University of Akron, 2014. http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=akron1398460511

    Chicago Manual of Style (17th edition)

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This open access ETD is published by University of Akron and OhioLINK.