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Preprogramming Complex Hydrogel Responses using Enzymatic Reaction Networks
Author(s) -
Postma Sjoerd G. J.,
Vialshin Ilia N.,
Gerritsen Casper Y.,
Bao Min,
Huck Wilhelm T. S.
Publication year - 2017
Publication title -
angewandte chemie
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
eISSN - 1521-3757
pISSN - 0044-8249
DOI - 10.1002/ange.201610875
Subject(s) - computer science , biological system , self healing hydrogels , nanotechnology , complex system , biochemical engineering , chemistry , materials science , artificial intelligence , engineering , organic chemistry , biology
The creation of adaptive matter is heavily inspired by biological systems. However, it remains challenging to design complex material responses that are governed by reaction networks, which lie at the heart of cellular complexity. The main reason for this slow progress is the lack of a general strategy to integrate reaction networks with materials. Herein we use a systematic approach to preprogram the response of a hydrogel to a trigger, in this case the enzyme trypsin, which activates a reaction network embedded within the hydrogel. A full characterization of all the kinetic rate constants in the system enabled the construction of a computational model, which predicted different hydrogel responses depending on the input concentration of the trigger. The results of the simulation are in good agreement with experimental findings. Our methodology can be used to design new, adaptive materials of which the properties are governed by reaction networks of arbitrary complexity.