Rheolution's Resources in Life Sciences

Poly(ethylene glycol) diacrylate (PEGDA) hydrogels are synthetic, water-swollen polymer networks formed by chemically crosslinking PEG chains functionalized with acrylate end groups. PEG itself is a hydrophilic, non-ionic polymer produced through industrial polymerization of ethylene oxide, widely used in biomedical applications due to its chemical stability and low toxicity. PEGDA is synthesized by reacting PEG with acrylate-containing reagents, introducing reactive carbon–carbon double bonds at both chain ends.

Poly(ε-caprolactone) (PCL) is a synthetic, biodegradable aliphatic polyester widely used in biomedical and pharmaceutical applications. It is composed of repeating caprolactone units linked by ester bonds, giving the polymer a semi-crystalline structure with hydrophobic character. PCL is produced industrially through the ring-opening polymerization of ε-caprolactone, most commonly using metal catalysts or enzymatic routes.

Silk fibroin is a naturally derived structural protein primarily obtained from the cocoons of silkworms, most commonly Bombyx mori. In its native form, silk fibers consist of a fibroin core surrounded by sericin, a glue-like protein that is removed during processing. Regenerated silk fibroin can be dissolved in aqueous solutions and reassembled into multiple material formats, including hydrogels.

Pluronic hydrogels are synthetic, thermo-responsive hydrogels formed from amphiphilic triblock copolymers composed of poly(ethylene oxide)–poly(propylene oxide)–poly(ethylene oxide) (PEO–PPO–PEO). These polymers, also known as poloxamers, are industrially synthesized via controlled polymerization and are available in a wide range of molecular weights and block ratios. In aqueous environments, Pluronic copolymers self-assemble into micellar structures driven by the temperature-dependent hydrophobicity of the PPO block.

Hyaluronic acid (HA) is a naturally occurring, linear polysaccharide belonging to the family of non-sulfated glycosaminoglycans. It is composed of repeating disaccharide units of D-glucuronic acid and N-acetyl-D-glucosamine linked through alternating β-1,3 and β-1,4 glycosidic bonds. HA is a major component of the extracellular matrix in vertebrate tissues, where it contributes to hydration, space filling, and viscoelasticity.

Gelatin methacryloyl (GelMA) is a photocrosslinkable hydrogel derived from gelatin, itself obtained by partial hydrolysis of collagen, the primary structural protein of the extracellular matrix (ECM). GelMA is synthesized by reacting gelatin with methacrylic anhydride, introducing methacryloyl functional groups onto gelatin’s amino acid residues while preserving most of its native bioactive motifs.