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Updated: Jun 8, 2026
Easy Manipulation of Architectures in Protein-based Hydrogels for Cell Culture Applications
Published on: August 4, 2017
Hydrogel network formation revised: high-resolution magic angle spinning nuclear magnetic resonance as a powerful
Sandra Van Vlierberghe1, Bernd Fritzinger, José C Martins
1Polymer Chemistry and Biomaterials Research Group, Department of Organic Chemistry, Ghent University, Krijgslaan 281 (building S4), B-9000 Ghent, Belgium.
Abstract:
In the present work, high-resolution magic angle spinning (hr-MAS) NMR spectroscopy is applied as a straightforward nondestructive technique to quantify unreacted methacrylamide functionalities in cross-linked gelatin hydrogels. By adjusting several cross-linking parameters including the ultraviolet (UV) irradiation time and the photo-initiator concentration, the cross-linking degree can be easily varied. Remarkably, under all experimental conditions typically applied for hydrogel development, no more than 40% of the methacrylamide moieties present have reacted. The hr-MAS based approach to determine the cross-linking efficiency is shown to provide an innovative and more convenient alternative to the well-established classical techniques. In addition, the results obtained are in good correlation with mechanical analysis data.
