Premium
Characterization of a Hierarchical Network of Hyaluronic Acid/Gelatin Composite for use as a Smart Injectable Biomaterial
Author(s) -
Heris Hossein K.,
Rahmat Meysam,
Mongeau Luc
Publication year - 2012
Publication title -
macromolecular bioscience
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.924
H-Index - 105
eISSN - 1616-5195
pISSN - 1616-5187
DOI - 10.1002/mabi.201100335
Subject(s) - biomaterial , gelatin , composite number , dynamic mechanical analysis , microstructure , adhesion , composite material , hyaluronic acid , materials science , modulus , drug delivery , tissue engineering , biomedical engineering , chemistry , nanotechnology , polymer , medicine , biochemistry , biology , genetics
Hybrid HA/Ge hydrogel particles are embedded in a secondary HA network to improve their structural integrity. The internal microstructure of the particles is imaged through TEM. CSLM is used to identify the location of the Ge molecules in the microgels. Through indentation tests, the Young's modulus of the individual particles is found to be 22 ± 2.5 kPa. The overall shear modulus of the composite is 75 ± 15 Pa at 1 Hz. The mechanical properties of the substrate are found to be viable for cell adhesion. The particles' diameter at pH = 8 is twice that at pH = 5. The pH sensitivity is found to be appropriate for smart drug delivery. Based on their mechanical and structural properties, HA–Ge hierarchical materials may be well suited for use as injectable biomaterials for tissue reconstruction.