Polypeptide-affined interpenetrating hydrogels with tunable physical and mechanical properties

Area of Science:

• Materials Science
• Biomedical Engineering
• Polymer Chemistry

Background:

• Hydrogels with tunable mechanical properties are crucial for biomedicine, soft robotics, and electronics.
• Existing hydrogels often involve complex fabrication, lack robustness, and compromise bioactivity.

Purpose of the Study:

• To develop a versatile hydrogel system with tunable properties and a facile one-pot fabrication process.
• To address limitations of current hydrogel materials, including robustness and bioactivity.

Main Methods:

• Fabrication of a hydrogel system comprising a hydrogen-bonded hydrophilic polyurethane (HPU) network and a loosely crosslinked copolymer.
• Decoration of the copolymer with succinimide groups for protein conjugation.
• Tuning mechanical properties by adjusting network ratios and composition.

Main Results:

• A facile one-pot fabrication process for the hydrogel system was established.
• The hydrogel system demonstrated tunable stiffness ranging from 1 to over 200 kPa.
• Succinimide groups facilitated protein conjugation and controlled peptide release, enhancing biocompatibility.

Conclusions:

• The developed hydrogel system offers tunable mechanical properties and facile fabrication for biomedical applications.
• The material's biocompatibility and controlled release capabilities were significantly enhanced by succinimide functionalization.