Functionalized Linear PEG Biomaterial for Cost-Effective Gel Formation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing biomaterials for cell and tissue culture, such as hydrogels, face challenges in production complexity and cost due to the difficulty in synthesizing peptides with multiple reactive groups and the need for precise proportions, limiting their application in regenerative medicine and tissue engineering.
Innovation Solution
A biomaterial based on a polymeric carrier with crosslinked hydrophilic polymers functionalized with groups like maleimide, vinylsulfonic, acrylate, alkyl halide, azirine, pyridyl, thionitrobenzene acid, or arylating groups, which allows for inexpensive production and modification, enabling the creation of cell-neutral hydrogels for tissue culture and drug release applications.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If peptides with multiple reactive groups or branched PEG are used for crosslinking, then gel formation capability is improved, but production cost and complexity increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces expensive peptides and branched PEG with linear PEG, which is inexpensive and readily available. The linear PEG is functionalized with multiple reactive groups to enable crosslinking, providing a cost-effective alternative that maintains gel formation capability while dramatically reducing production cost and complexity
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the chemical structure parameter of PEG from linear to functionalized linear form, where multiple reactive groups (such as maleimide, vinylsulfonic, acrylate, alkyl halide, azirine, pyridyl, thionitrobenzene acid, or arylating groups) are attached to the linear PEG backbone. This parameter change enables crosslinking functionality while maintaining the simplicity and low cost of linear PEG production
2Stability of the object's composition
If reactants with three or four reactive groups are used for gel formation, then crosslinked gel structure is improved, but manufacturing precision requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses linear PEG with functional groups instead of complex multi-reactive peptides, simplifying the reactant system and reducing the precision requirements for mixing proportions while still achieving stable crosslinked gel structures
Solution Approach 2:
The patent modifies the reactive group parameters on linear PEG to create controlled crosslinking behavior. The functional groups (maleimide, vinylsulfonic, acrylate, alkyl halide, azirine, pyridyl, thionitrobenzene acid, or arylating groups) are attached at controlled densities along the linear PEG chain, providing stable gel formation with more forgiving manufacturing tolerances compared to using peptides with 3-4 reactive groups
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
The biomaterial provides a cost-effective and efficient tool for cell and tissue culture, allowing for selective investigation of biofactors and tissue regeneration, with the ability to be used ex vivo or in situ, and offers excellent properties for drug release, overcoming the limitations of previous materials.
Implementation Method 1
a biomaterial for the culture of cells and/or tissue consisting of cells, based on a polymeric carrier, which contains at least one crosslinked hydrophilic polymer
Implementation Method 2
based on a polymeric carrier, which contains at least one crosslinked hydrophilic polymer
Implementation Method 3
the polymer being functionalized with groups that are selected from maleimide, vinylsulfonic, acrylate, alkyl halide, azirine, pyridyl, thionitrobenzene acid groups, or arylating groups
Data Source
AI summary
The present invention relates to a biomaterial for cell or tissue culture, based on a polymeric carrier, which contains at least one crosslinkable hydrophilic polymer. The polymer is functionalized with groups that are selected from maleimide, vinylsulfonic, acrylate, alkyl halide, azirine, pyridyl, thionitrobenzene acid groups, or arylating groups. The invention relates further to a method of production of said biomaterial, and the use of particular functionalizing groups for the production of a biomaterial for the cultivation of tissue and/or cells. The biomaterial can have biofactors that exert a particular action on cells.