Work

Nanoscale Surface Chemical Patterning of Soft Polyacrylamide with Elastic Modulus Similar to Soft Tissue

Year: 2024

Type: article

Abstract: Nanometer-scale control over surface functionalization of soft gels is important for a variety of applications including controlling interactions with cells for in vitro cell culture and for regenerative medicine. Recently, we have shown that it is possible to transfer a nanometer-thick precision functional polymer layer to the surface of relatively stiff polyacrylamide gels. Here, we develop a fundamental understanding of the way in which the precision polymer backbone participates in the polyacrylamide radical polymerization and cross-linking process, which enables us to generate high-efficiency transfer to much softer hydrogels (down to 5 kPa) with stiffness similar to that of soft tissue. This approach creates hydrogel surfaces with exposed nanostructured functional arrays that open the door to controlled ligand presentation on soft hydrogel surfaces.

Source: Chemistry of Materials

DOI: 10.1021/acs.chemmater.4c01106

Authors: Teah N. Tirey, Anamika Singh, Juan C. Arango, Shelley A. Claridge

Institution: Purdue University West Lafayette

Language: English

Topic: Hydrogels: synthesis, properties, applications

Subfield: Molecular Medicine

Field: Biochemistry, Genetics and Molecular Biology

Domain: Life Sciences

Open Access status: hybrid

Estimated APC paid: $4,500

Funders: National Institutes of Health, National Institute of Biomedical Imaging and Bioengineering