title: Hydrogel with Orthogonal Reactive Units: 2D and 3D Cross-Linking Modulation.
abstract: In this work, an engineered hydrogel system with a 2D and 3D tunable cross-linking degree is presented. A precise chemical design by the introduction of cross-linkable units, having reaction orthogonality, allows to control the network formation both in time and space and to selectively alter the hydrogel physical properties. Hydrogel chemistry has been tailored in order to produce spatially controlled stiffness changes and drive cell morphology through mechanical cues. Elastic modulus rises by more than double after photocross-linking, as shown by atomic force microscopy measurements. Biological response is also analyzed and stiffness-dependent cell spreading and proliferation are verified. Different pattern geometries are successfully realized by UV lithography, allowing 2D cross-linking modulation. Furthermore, 3D mechanical tuning at micro- and submicrometer scale by two-photon polymerization makes this system a biologically relevant matrix to study cell functions and tissue development.
authors.affiliation: Industrial Engineering Department, University of Padova, Via Marzolo 9, 35131, Padova, Italy and INSTM.|Venetian Institute of Molecular Medicine (VIMM), Via Orus 2, 35129, Padova, Italy.
authors.forename: Gioia Della
authors.initials: GD
authors.lastname: Giustina
authors.affiliation: Industrial Engineering Department, University of Padova, Via Marzolo 9, 35131, Padova, Italy and INSTM.|Venetian Institute of Molecular Medicine (VIMM), Via Orus 2, 35129, Padova, Italy.
authors.forename: Stefano
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Giulitti
authors.affiliation: Industrial Engineering Department, University of Padova, Via Marzolo 9, 35131, Padova, Italy and INSTM.|Venetian Institute of Molecular Medicine (VIMM), Via Orus 2, 35129, Padova, Italy.
authors.forename: Laura
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Brigo
authors.affiliation: Industrial Engineering Department, University of Padova, Via Marzolo 9, 35131, Padova, Italy and INSTM.|Venetian Institute of Molecular Medicine (VIMM), Via Orus 2, 35129, Padova, Italy.
authors.forename: Michele
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Zanatta
authors.affiliation: Institute of Applied Synthetic Chemistry, Vienna University of Technology, Vienna, 1060, Austria.
authors.forename: Maximilian
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Tromayer
authors.affiliation: Institute of Applied Synthetic Chemistry, Vienna University of Technology, Vienna, 1060, Austria.
authors.forename: Robert
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Liska
authors.affiliation: Industrial Engineering Department, University of Padova, Via Marzolo 9, 35131, Padova, Italy and INSTM.|Venetian Institute of Molecular Medicine (VIMM), Via Orus 2, 35129, Padova, Italy.
authors.forename: Nicola
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Elvassore
authors.affiliation: Industrial Engineering Department, University of Padova, Via Marzolo 9, 35131, Padova, Italy and INSTM.|Venetian Institute of Molecular Medicine (VIMM), Via Orus 2, 35129, Padova, Italy.
authors.forename: Giovanna
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Brusatin
mesh_terms: D003432:Cross-Linking Reagents / Q000737:chemistry*; D020136:Hydrogel, Polyethylene Glycol Dimethacrylate / Q000737:chemistry*; D010316:Particle Size; D058105:Polymerization; D013499:Surface Properties
chemical_list: D003432:Cross-Linking Reagents; D020136:Hydrogel, Polyethylene Glycol Dimethacrylate
keywords: UV lithography; cell spreading; hydrogel materials; stiffness; two photon lithography