Related Experiment Video
Updated: Feb 12, 2026

Author Spotlight: Development of Homogeneous κ-Carrageenan Sub-Microgel Baths for High-Resolution 3D Bioprinting
Published on: May 3, 2024
Synergistic effect of κ-carrageenan and gelatin blends towards adipose tissue engineering
L Tytgat1, M Vagenende1, H Declercq2
1Polymer Chemistry & Biomaterials Group-Centre of Macromolecular Chemistry (CMaC)-Department of Organic and Macromolecular Chemistry, Ghent University, Krijgslaan 281, S4-Bis, 9000 Ghent, Belgium; Brussels Photonics (B-PHOT)-Department of Applied Physics and Photonics, Vrije Universiteit Brussel, Pleinlaan 2, 1050 Brussels, Belgium.
Abstract:
The current paper focuses on the functionalization of κ-carrageenan and gelatin as extracellular matrix polysaccharide and protein mimic respectively to produce hydrogel films for adipose tissue engineering. More specifically, κ-carrageenan as well as gelatin have been functionalized with methacrylate and methacrylamide moieties respectively to enable subsequent UV-induced crosslinking in the presence of a photo-initiator. The gel fraction, the mass swelling ratio and the mechanical properties of both the one-component hydrogels and the protein/polysaccharide blends have been evaluated. The mechanical and swelling properties of the blends could be tuned by varying the hydrogel composition as well as the crosslinking method applied. The in vitro biocompatibility assays indicated a significantly higher cell viability of adipose tissue-derived mesenchymal stem cells seeded onto the blends as compared to the one-component hydrogels. The results show that the blends of gelatin and κ-carrageenan clearly outperform the one-component hydrogels in terms of adipose tissue engineering potential.
Related Concept Videos
What is Genetic Engineering?
Heat Engines
Whenever we consider heat engines (and associated devices such as refrigerators and heat pumps), we do not use the standard sign convention for heat and work. For convenience, we assume that the symbols Qh, Qc, and W represent only the amounts of heat transferred...
Internal Combustion Engine
Tissues
Tissues
Plant Cells and Tissues

