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Updated: Jul 6, 2026

The Synthesis of RGD-functionalized Hydrogels as a Tool for Therapeutic Applications
Published on: October 7, 2016
Hydrogel mechanical properties in altered gravity
Vanja Mišković1, Immacolata Greco1, Christophe Minetti1
1Centre for Research and Engineering in Space Technologies, École Polytechnique de Bruxelles, Université libre de Bruxelles, Brussels, Belgium.
Abstract:
Exposure to altered gravity influences cellular behaviour in cell cultures. Hydrogels are amongst the most common materials used to produce tissue-engineering scaffolds, and their mechanical properties play a crucial role in cell-matrix interaction. However, little is known about the influence of altered gravity on hydrogel properties. Here we study the mechanical properties of Poly (ethylene glycol) diacrylate (PEGDA) and PEGDA incorporated with graphene oxide (GO) by performing tensile tests in micro and hypergravity during a Parabolic flight campaign, and by comparing them to the same tests performed in Earth gravity. We show that gravity levels do not result in a statistically significant difference in Young's modulus.
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