title: Characterization of Thiol-Ene Crosslinked PEG Hydrogels.
abstract: The properties of synthetic hydrogels can be tuned to address the needs of many tissue-culture applications. This work characterizes the swelling and mechanical properties of thiol-ene crosslinked PEG hydrogels made with varying prepolymer formulations, demonstrating that hydrogels with a compressive modulus exceeding 600 kPa can be formed. The amount of peptide incorporated into the hydrogel is shown to be proportional to the amount of peptide in the prepolymer solution. Cell attachment and spreading on the surface of the peptide-functionalized hydrogels is demonstrated. Additionally, a method for bonding distinct layers of cured hydrogels is used to create a microfluidic channel.
authors.affiliation: Department of Biomedical Engineering, University of Wisconsin, Madison WI 53705, USA.
authors.forename: Michael W
authors.initials: MW
authors.lastname: Toepke
authors.affiliation: Department of Biomedical Engineering, University of Wisconsin, Madison WI 53705, USA.
authors.forename: Nicholas A
authors.initials: NA
authors.lastname: Impellitteri
authors.affiliation: Department of Biomedical Engineering, University of Wisconsin, Madison WI 53705, USA.
authors.forename: Jeffrey M
authors.initials: JM
authors.lastname: Theisen
authors.affiliation: Department of Biomedical Engineering, University of Wisconsin, Madison WI 53705, USA.
authors.forename: William L
authors.initials: WL
authors.lastname: Murphy
keywords: biomaterials; biopolymers; hydrogels; mechanical properties; microfluidics