Jove
Visualize
Contact Us
JoVE
x logofacebook logolinkedin logoyoutube logo
ABOUT JoVE
OverviewLeadershipBlogJoVE Help Center
AUTHORS
Publishing ProcessEditorial BoardScope & PoliciesPeer ReviewFAQSubmit
LIBRARIANS
TestimonialsSubscriptionsAccessResourcesLibrary Advisory BoardFAQ
RESEARCH
JoVE JournalMethods CollectionsJoVE Encyclopedia of ExperimentsArchive
EDUCATION
JoVE CoreJoVE BusinessJoVE Science EducationJoVE Lab ManualFaculty Resource CenterFaculty Site
Terms & Conditions of Use
Privacy Policy
Policies

Related Experiment Video

Updated: May 14, 2026

Preparation of Chitosan-based Injectable Hydrogels and Its Application in 3D Cell Culture
08:05

Preparation of Chitosan-based Injectable Hydrogels and Its Application in 3D Cell Culture

Published on: September 29, 2017

Self-healing mussel-inspired multi-pH-responsive hydrogels.

Marie Krogsgaard1, Manja A Behrens, Jan Skov Pedersen

  • 1iNANO and Department of Chemistry, Aarhus University , 14 Gustav Wieds Vej, Aarhus, Denmark.

Biomacromolecules
|January 26, 2013
PubMed
Summary
This summary is machine-generated.

Related Concept Videos

You might also read

Related Articles

Articles linked to this work by shared authors, journal, and citation graph.

Sort by
Same author

A general approach to unraveling structural changes of food proteins using atomistic model-based SAXS.

Food chemistry·2026
Same author

The mantis shrimp eye imaged in 3D using 4th generation synchrotron multiscale phase contrast tomography.

Journal of structural biology·2026
Same author

Deciphering high density lipoprotein (HDL) structure-function: Detailed analysis of HDL subfractions reveals molecular differences leading to atherosclerosis risk.

International journal of biological macromolecules·2026
Same author

Scattering from 'Babinet' particles (or not…): spherical particles made up of spheres and spherical particles with spherical voids.

Journal of applied crystallography·2026
Same author

The Importance of Being Imperfect: Structure and Function of Bacterial Amyloid.

Advanced science (Weinheim, Baden-Wurttemberg, Germany)·2025
Same author

Antibiotic vesicles based on peptide-polymer complex coacervation.

Journal of colloid and interface science·2025
Same journal

Metal-Ion-Modulated Stabilization of Intermediates in Diphenylalanine and Phenylalanine Self-Assembly: Roles of Metal-Ion-Specific Salt Bridges and Hydrophobic Interactions.

Biomacromolecules·2026
Same journal

Understanding Processing-Structure-Property Relationships in Spun Spidroin-Mimetic Fibers Using Molecular Dynamics Simulation.

Biomacromolecules·2026
Same journal

Exploring the Antibacterial Potential of Bis-MPA Dendrimers Bearing Cu(II) and Zn(II) Complexes.

Biomacromolecules·2026
Same journal

Toward Sustainable Optics: Fully Biomass-Based Vitrimer Film for Near-Infrared Transparency.

Biomacromolecules·2026
Same journal

Poly(furfuryl alcohol) as a Surface Modifier for Cellulose Nanocrystals Reinforced HDPE Nanocomposites.

Biomacromolecules·2026
Same journal

Cutinase Adsorption to Polyester Surfaces Modulates Dissolved Oligomer Speciation during Enzymatic Depolymerization.

Biomacromolecules·2026
See all related articles

This study introduces a new self-healing hydrogel inspired by mussel adhesive proteins. The material exhibits rapid self-healing and high strength, with properties tunable by pH changes.

Area of Science:

  • Materials Science
  • Polymer Chemistry
  • Biomimetic Materials

Background:

  • Self-healing hydrogels are typically formed using reversible covalent cross-links or coordination chemistry.
  • Mussel adhesive proteins provide a natural model for robust underwater adhesion and material properties.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To develop a multi-pH-responsive self-healing hydrogel system inspired by blue mussel adhesive proteins.
  • To investigate the role of DOPA-iron coordination chemistry in controlling hydrogel cross-linking and properties.
  • To create a bistable gel system with tunable mechanical characteristics.

Main Methods:

  • Functionalization of a polymer with DOPA (3,4-dihydroxyphenylalanine).
  • Cross-linking the functionalized polymer with iron ions to form coordination bonds.

More Related Videos

The Synthesis of RGD-functionalized Hydrogels as a Tool for Therapeutic Applications
09:30

The Synthesis of RGD-functionalized Hydrogels as a Tool for Therapeutic Applications

Published on: October 7, 2016

Related Experiment Videos

Last Updated: May 14, 2026

Preparation of Chitosan-based Injectable Hydrogels and Its Application in 3D Cell Culture
08:05

Preparation of Chitosan-based Injectable Hydrogels and Its Application in 3D Cell Culture

Published on: September 29, 2017

The Synthesis of RGD-functionalized Hydrogels as a Tool for Therapeutic Applications
09:30

The Synthesis of RGD-functionalized Hydrogels as a Tool for Therapeutic Applications

Published on: October 7, 2016

  • Investigating the pH-dependent changes in polymer cross-linking, gel strength, and self-healing capabilities.

    • Main Results:

    • A multi-pH-responsive hydrogel system was successfully created using DOPA-functionalized polymers and iron.
    • Increasing pH from acidic to basic conditions resulted in rapidly self-healing, high-strength hydrogels.
    • The hydrogel exhibited bistable behavior, collapsing near the polymer's isoelectric point (pI) due to reduced chain repulsion.

    Conclusions:

    • The DOPA-iron coordination chemistry provides a pH-controlled mechanism for tuning hydrogel cross-linking and mechanical properties.
    • The developed hydrogel system effectively mimics mussel adhesive proteins, offering a model for biomimetic material design.
    • This system demonstrates potential for applications requiring adaptable and self-repairing materials.