High Molecular Weight Peptide Crosslinkers for Hydrogel Stability
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing biocompatible hydrogels require high concentrations of peptidic crosslinkers for stable formation, which are costly and limit the incorporation of other soluble components, reducing water content and complicating cell cultivation processes.
Innovation Solution
A novel high molecular weight linear crosslinker molecule with increased spacing between binding functions, composed of a high molecular weight polymer and a low molecular weight peptide component, reduces the required crosslinker concentration by up to a factor of 10 and enhances water content and solute incorporation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If high concentrations of peptidic crosslinkers are used to form stable hydrogels, then hydrogel stability is improved, but production cost increases and water content decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The invention changes the molecular weight parameter of the crosslinker from low molecular weight (known peptidic crosslinkers) to high molecular weight (3-60 kDa), which fundamentally alters the crosslinking efficiency and allows achieving stable hydrogels at much lower crosslinker concentrations (below 10 mmol/L instead of >10 mmol/L), thereby reducing cost and preserving water content
Solution Approach 2:
The invention uses a composite crosslinker structure combining a peptide component (providing binding functions) with a high molecular weight polymer component (providing structural framework), where the polymer backbone carries the peptide moieties at spaced intervals, creating a hybrid material that leverages the advantages of both components
2Reliability
If high concentrations of crosslinkers are used to ensure stable hydrogel formation, then crosslinking stability is improved, but the ability to incorporate other soluble components is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
By changing the crosslinker molecular weight parameter to high molecular weight range, the invention reduces the total crosslinker concentration needed by a factor of 10 or more, thereby preserving the solubility and bioactivity of other components that would otherwise be excluded or inactivated at high crosslinker concentrations
3Reliability
If high concentrations of peptidic crosslinkers are used to form stable hydrogels, then gel stability is improved, but water content is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The invention changes the crosslinker molecular weight parameter, which directly affects the crosslinking density and network structure. High molecular weight crosslinkers create a more open hydrogel network with lower crosslinking density at equivalent functional group concentrations, thereby preserving water content while maintaining gel stability
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 novel crosslinker enables stable hydrogel formation at lower concentrations, improving crosslinking efficiency and allowing for higher water content and easier integration of additional components, thus supporting more effective cell cultivation and biocompatible hydrogel production.
Implementation Method 1
The crosslinker molecules are known to have at least two, preferably terminal, binding functions of a first type, for example thiol function, which conjugate with complementary binding functions of a second type, for example maleimide function, of the polymers to be crosslinked
Implementation Method 2
The peptides can be cleaved by bioactive molecules, in particular enzymes such as peptidases or proteinases, for example matrix metalloproteinases (MMP)
Data Source
Figure 1A~1C
Figure 1D
Figure 2
AI summary
The invention concerns biocompatible hydrogels and relates to novel peptide cross-linking agents in the form of a linear molecule, which has a molecular mass of 3 to approximately 60 kDa, for cross-linking functionalized polymers to form hydrogels having two or more components. The invention further relates to methods for producing such novel cross-linking agents and for producing novel hydrogels.