Controlling Mechanical Properties of Gels for Tissue Engineering

Control of the Mechanical Properties

For most applications of gels in regenerative medicine, control of the mechanical properties (modulus, toughness, fracture strain, fracture stress) is key to its success.  This has been the major effort in our group over the past 5 years, especially in collaboration with Michael Detamore. Inspired by our biomimetics work with insect cuticle, in 2010, we were the first to encapsulate viable cells in an interpenetrating network comprised of two separate hydrogels that together create a new material with mechanical performance far superior to either of the original two materials. 

We have demonstrated the ability to control mechanical performance semi-independently from cell performance by including bioactive molecules.  We have also developed an IPN based on chondroitin sulfate that has the highest yield stress of any hydrogel reported to date.  Others in the field have followed in this direction with their own formulations as well, with our papers being cited at a high rate.