posted on 2020-01-13, 15:42authored byGaia Ferracci, Mengxiang Zhu, Mohammed Shahrudin Ibrahim, Gamaliel Ma, Teng Fei Fan, Bae Hoon Lee, Nam-Joon Cho
Photopolymerization
of protein-derived polymers functionalized with methacryloyl groups
has been increasingly used to fabricate three-dimensional tissue constructs
for biomedical applications because photocurable protein-based polymers
(e.g., gelatin and collagen methacryloyl) feature spatial-temporal
controllability of engineering complex constructs as well as inherent
biological properties. Herein, we report photocurable albumin-based
hydrogels. First, photocurable bovine serum albumin methacryloyl (BSA-MA)
with different degrees of substitution (DM) was successfully synthesized
in a precise manner, without substantially altering BSA native secondary
structure. Resultant photocurable BSA-MA hydrogels exhibited tunable
physio-biochemical properties over the swelling, degradation, and
mechanical properties. Moreover, photo-cross-linked BSA-MA hydrogels
provided a permissible environment to support cell viability and functionality
both in two- and three-dimensional culture systems. Photocurable BSA-MA
hydrogels may be used as a versatile platform for various bioapplications
including tissue engineering and 3D bioprinting.