Journal article
Characterization of thin gelatin hydrogel membranes with balloon properties for dynamic tissue engineering
Fluidic Array Systems and Technology, Nano and Bio-physical Systems, Department of Health Technology, Technical University of Denmark1
Nano and Bio-physical Systems, Department of Health Technology, Technical University of Denmark2
Department of Health Technology, Technical University of Denmark3
Center for Intelligent Drug Delivery and Sensing Using Microcontainers and Nanomechanics, Department of Health Technology, Technical University of Denmark4
Nanoprobes, Drug Delivery and Sensing, Department of Health Technology, Technical University of Denmark5
Drug Delivery and Sensing, Department of Health Technology, Technical University of Denmark6
Department of Chemistry, Technical University of Denmark7
Cell or tissue stretching and strain are present in any in vivo environment, but is difficult to reproduce in vitro. Here, we describe a simple method for casting a thin (about 500 μm) and soft (about 0.3 kPa) hydrogel of gelatin and a method for characterizing the mechanical properties of the hydrogel simply by changing pressure with a water column.
The gelatin is crosslinked with mTransglutaminase and the area of the resulting hydrogel can be increased up 13-fold by increasing the radial water pressure. This is far beyond physiological stretches observed in vivo. Actuating the hydrogel with a radial force achieves both information about stiffness, stretchability, and contractability, which are relevant properties for tissue engineering purposes.
Cells could be stretched and contracted using the gelatin membrane. Gelatin is a commonly used polymer for hydrogels in tissue engineering, and the discovered reversible stretching is particularly interesting for organ modeling applications.
Language: | English |
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Publisher: | John Wiley & Sons, Inc. |
Year: | 2019 |
Pages: | e23241 |
ISSN: | 10970282 and 00063525 |
Types: | Journal article |
DOI: | 10.1002/bip.23241 |
ORCIDs: | 0000-0001-9023-8706 , Nielsen, Line Hagner , Boisen, Anja , Almdal, Kristoffer and Dufva, Martin |