Gelatin- and starch-based hydrogels. Part A: Hydrogel development, characterization and coating

Area of Science:

• Biomaterials Science
• Tissue Engineering
• Polymer Chemistry

Background:

• The extracellular matrix (ECM) provides structural and biochemical cues essential for tissue regeneration.
• Mimicking the ECM's complex composition and mechanical properties is crucial for effective tissue engineering scaffolds.
• Existing scaffolds often lack the tunable characteristics required for diverse tissue regeneration applications.

Purpose of the Study:

• To develop adaptable hydrogel films that closely resemble the natural ECM.
• To engineer scaffolds with controllable physico-chemical and mechanical properties for targeted tissue regeneration.
• To investigate the potential of gelatin and starch-based hydrogels for biomaterial applications.

Main Methods:

• Synthesis of methacrylamide-modified gelatin and starch-pentenoate building blocks.
• Fabrication of pure hydrogel films and interpenetrating networks (IPNs).
• Characterization using techniques including NMR spectroscopy, rheology, and atomic force microscopy.

Main Results:

• Hydrogel film properties, including mechanical strength (storage moduli 14-63 kPa) and swelling, were tunable by adjusting chemical composition and gelatin substitution degree.
• Phase separation was observed in IPNs, with distinct starch domains within the gelatin matrix.
• Aggrecan demonstrated affinity for gelatin, enabling its use as a bioactive coating via physisorption.

Conclusions:

• The developed hydrogel films offer fine-tuned physico-chemical properties suitable for tissue engineering.
• The ability to control mechanical and swelling properties makes these materials promising for various regenerative medicine applications.
• The incorporation of bioactive molecules like aggrecan enhances the potential of these scaffolds for promoting tissue repair.