| 초록 |
Poly(ethylene glycol) (PEG) have been exhaustively used for biocompatible hydrogels. Herein, we developed a new biomimetic approach for the formation of PEG hydrogels. Catechol, an enediol-containing small molecule, inspired by the adhesive amino acid 3,4-dihydroxy-L-phenylalenine (DOPA) was end-functionalized to 6-Arm PEGs (Mw 15,000) (6PEG-catechol). In particular, two different catechol end-functionalization approaches were used; amide and amine were formed as a result of the end-functionalization (6PEG-amide-catechol and 6PEG-NH-catechol). All hydrogels showed successful gelation with strong mechanical properties. However, the two 6PEG-catechols exhibited difference in gelation time and/or mechanical properties. Our result indicates that linker chemistry could significantly influence resulting properties of PEG hydrogels. |
