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Updated: Jul 21, 2026

Covalent Binding of BMP-2 on Surfaces Using a Self-assembled Monolayer Approach
Published on: August 26, 2013
Immobilization of BMP-2 in porous hydrogels to spatially regulate osteogenesis
Junzhe Lou1, Charlotte Meyer2, Anqi Chen3
1Harvard John A. Paulson School of Engineering and Applied Sciences, Harvard University, Cambridge, MA, USA; Wyss Institute for Biologically Inspired Engineering, Harvard University, Boston, MA, USA.
Abstract:
Sustained release of bone morphogenetic protein 2 (BMP-2) is used to enhance bone regeneration, but immobilizing BMP-2 in three-dimensional scaffolds could enable spatial regulation of stem cell differentiation and bone formation. Here, we fabricate porous granular hydrogels presenting BMP-2 on the surface to regulate stem cell growth and differentiation. Immobilization of BMP-2 and cell-adhesive ligands is achieved by surface-specific functionalization of microgels, which are jammed to form microporous hydrogels. Varying surface ligand density regulated spreading, proliferation and differentiation of cells. In addition, modulating the distribution of cell-adhesive ligands and BMP-2 allowed spatial control over cell adhesion and osteogenic differentiation.
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