Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jul 6, 2025
Microengineering 3D Collagen Hydrogels with Long-Range Fiber Alignment
Published on: September 7, 2022
A novel injectable sericin hydrogel with strong fluorescence for tracing
Yeshun Zhang1, Xinyu Cao2, Jingya Zhang3
1Jiangsu Key Laboratory of Sericultural Biology and Biotechnology, School of Biotechnology, Jiangsu University of Science and Technology, Zhenjiang, Jiangsu 212100, China; Key Laboratory of Silkworm and Mulberry Genetic Improvement, Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs, The Sericultural Research Institute, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Zhenjiang, Jiangsu 212100, China; Zhenjiang Zhongnong Biotechnology Co., LTD, Zhenjiang, Jiangsu 212121, China.
Researchers developed a novel self-luminescent hydrogel using sericin protein. This intrinsically fluorescent biomaterial avoids photobleaching and toxicity, showing potential as an implantable bio-tracer.
Area of Science:
- Biomedical Engineering
- Materials Science
- Biochemistry
Background:
- Hydrogels are valuable as bio-probes but often rely on external fluorophores.
- Existing fluorophores can suffer from photobleaching and toxicity, limiting hydrogel applications.
- There is a need for intrinsically fluorescent hydrogels with enhanced biocompatibility and stability.
Purpose of the Study:
- To develop a novel, intrinsically fluorescent hydrogel using sericin protein.
- To investigate the fluorescence properties and potential applications of this new hydrogel system.
- To overcome the limitations of photobleaching and toxicity associated with traditional fluorescent hydrogels.
Main Methods:
- Preparation of a sericin-based hydrogel via double crosslinking with glutaraldehyde and hydrogen peroxide/horseradish peroxidase (H2O2/HRP).
- Characterization of the hydrogel's intrinsic fluorescence, including excitation wavelengths and emission spectra.
- Evaluation of the hydrogel's penetration through thick biological tissue (pigskin).
- Assessment of additional properties including porosity, swelling, pH-responsive degradation, elasticity, injectability, viscosity, and biocompatibility.
Main Results:
- The double-crosslinked sericin hydrogel exhibited strong intrinsic green and red fluorescence, excitable over a wide wavelength range.
- The fluorescent hydrogel demonstrated the ability to penetrate thick pigskin tissue.
- The hydrogel possessed desirable characteristics such as high porosity, swelling, pH-responsive degradation, super elasticity, injectability, viscosity, and excellent biocompatibility.
Conclusions:
- The developed sericin hydrogel offers a promising alternative to traditional fluorescent hydrogels by providing intrinsic luminescence without photobleaching or toxicity.
- Its ability to penetrate tissue and its array of favorable properties suggest significant potential for applications as implantable bio-tracers.
- This work expands the utility of protein-based hydrogels in biomedical engineering and related fields.
