HA Hydrogel Biomolecule Linkage Without Mechanical Property Loss
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current hydrogels for tissue regeneration have insufficiently tunable mechanical properties and attaching biomolecules to them often adversely affects these properties.
Innovation Solution
Hydrogels composed of hydrogel polymers crosslinked by catalyst-free Diels-Alder reactions, with biomolecules attached via acrylic linkers, allowing for tunable mechanical parameters and biomolecule attachment without compromising mechanical stability.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If existing chemistry is used to attach biomolecules to polymer networks, then biomolecule attachment is achieved, but mechanical properties of hydrogels are adversely affected
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces an acrylic linker as an intermediary component between the hydrogel polymer and the biomolecule. This linker contains a reactive group that attaches to the hydroxyl group on the polymer backbone and another reactive group that binds to the biomolecule, thereby mediating the attachment process while preserving the mechanical integrity of the hydrogel network
Solution Approach 2:
The patent segments the attachment process into distinct functional components: the hydrogel polymer backbone, the acrylic linker with its dual reactive groups, and the biomolecule. This segmentation allows each component to perform its specific function independently, with the linker serving as a dedicated attachment module that does not compromise the polymer network's mechanical properties
2Adaptability or versatility
If mechanical properties are made highly tunable, then mechanical parameters can be optimized, but complexity of hydrogel formulation increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent enables mechanical property tuning by changing key formulation parameters such as the concentration of hydrogel polymer, the concentration of crosslinker, and the ratio between them. These parameter changes allow systematic optimization of mechanical properties like storage modulus and elastic modulus without requiring complex multi-component formulations
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs a universal crosslinking system based on Diels-Alder reaction between diene and dienophile functional groups that can be applied across different hydrogel formulations. This universal approach provides consistent mechanical tuning capabilities across various polymer types and biomolecule attachments, reducing formulation complexity
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 hydrogels exhibit tunable mechanical properties and stable attachment of biomolecules, supporting cell growth and tissue regeneration with controlled mechanical moduli and modularity.
Implementation Method 1
the crosslinker comprises a pair of a diene and a dienophile that undergoes a catalyst-free Diels-Alder reaction
Implementation Method 2
the acrylic linker is attached to the hydroxyl group in the hydrogel polymer via an esterification reaction between an acrylic anhydride and the hydroxyl group
Implementation Method 3
the biomolecule is attached to the acrylic linker via a Michael addition reaction between a nucleophilic group in the biomolecule and an alkenyl group in the acrylic linker
Data Source
AI summary
Described herein is a hydrogel including a hydrogel polymer; a crosslinker crosslinking the hydrogel polymer; a biomolecule attached to the hydrogel polymer; and water. In the hydrogel, the biomolecule is attached to the hydrogel polymer through an acrylic linker attached to a hydroxyl group in the hydrogel polymer. Also described is a hyaluronic acid (HA)-based hydrogel including a first HA polymer comprising a first crosslinker; a second HA polymer comprising a second crosslinker; a biomolecule attached to the first HA polymer or the second HA polymer through an acrylic linker attached to a hydroxyl group in the first HA polymer or the second HA polymer; and water. Also described is a method of producing the HA-based hydrogel, as well as a method of regenerating tissues using the hydrogels.