Alginate-based Tissue Gel Development Service at CD BioGlyco
CD BioGlyco continues to enhance its Marine Carbohydrate-based hydrogel manufacturing technology. Alginate is a biodegradable, non-toxic, biocompatible polysaccharide. It contains β-d-mannuronic acid and α-l-guluronic acid monomers connected via 1→4 linkage. In addition to Glycosaminoglycan, Chitosan, and Chitin-based hydrogels, alginate-based hydrogels are used as scaffolds for the controlled release of bioactive molecules and others. We provide a one-stop service for the development of alginate-based tissue gels from design, and crosslinking to assay.
Fig.1 Process for the development of alginate-based tissue gel. (CD BioGlyco)
We have a wide range of methods of hydrogel fabrication to choose from. Our main goal in designing alginate-based hydrogels is to be biodegradable, and biocompatible and to provide proper support for cell induction. During the process of designing and fabricating, we determine the effect of various factors, such as molecular weight, composition, and others, on stability, gel strength, swelling behavior, biodegradability, etc.
Lonic crosslinking
Generally, divalent cations (Mg+2, Ca+2, etc.) are used as ion exchangers to generate alginate-based hydrogels. Our commonly used ion exchangers include CaCl2, CaSO4, CaCO3, etc. We strictly control the gelation process. We strictly control the gelation rate and temperature to form a crosslinked network with high mechanical properties and uniform structure.
Covalent crosslinking
Alginate gels with covalent cross-linking are usually generated by the reaction of carboxyl groups in two different alginate branches with a cross-linked molecule having a primary diamine. We regulate the swelling and mechanical properties of hydrogels by controlling the crosslinked molecule species and crosslink density.
Click chemistry
The reaction of hydrogel fabrication by click chemistry has the advantages of high selectivity, high specificity, low by-products, and high yield. We use several metal-free click conjugation methods, including oxime, Schiff base, Diels-Alder, and Michael addition.
Cell crosslinking
In addition to physical and chemical crosslinking methods, we fabricate alginate-based hydrogels by cell crosslinking. By modifying the alginate chains with cell adhesion peptides with specific sequences, the alginate chains can bind to the cells and form reversible, long-distance polymer networks.
Other methods
In addition to this, we fabricate alginate gels using phase transition, free radical polymerization, and enzymatic crosslinking.
Publication Data
Technology: Lonic crosslinking
Journal: European Polymer Journal
IF: 3.862
Published: 2019
Results: In this study, alginate-based hydrogels were prepared by ionic crosslinking. The interactions of three parameters and their effects on the formation process were evaluated. Characterization of the resulting hydrogels showed that both environmental conditions and experimental variables had a significant effect on the structure and properties of the hydrogels. The use of high crosslinker dosages and polymer concentrations produced strong hydrogels corresponding to excellent crosslinking degrees. This study successfully developed a theoretical model capable of correlating the degree of crosslinking with experimental conditions, thus opening the way to design and fabricating alginate-based hydrogels.
Fig.2 Preparation of hydrogels by agar molds and chemical structure of sodium alginate and agar. (Dodero, et al., 2019)
Applications
- Alginate possesses several unique physicochemical properties. Alginate-based hydrogels are used as drug delivery vehicles for chemotherapeutic drugs.
- Alginate-based hydrogel is a hydrogel of natural origin. It is an ideal candidate for wound dressings.
- Alginate-based hydrogels are ideal candidates for bio-ink substrates in 3D bioprinting.
Advantages of Us
- We have a professional hydrogel R&D team and product design system.
- We specialize in hydrogel material preparation technology and related product manufacturing.
- We have a variety of crosslinking methods to choose from, including cell crosslinking, covalent crosslinking, ionic crosslinking, and more.
CD BioGlyco provides clients with alginate-based hydrogel fabrication services. We also conduct experiments related to process and product performance optimization. Please feel free to contact us for more information on chemical cross-linking, physical cross-linking, and hydrogel preparation. We look forward to supporting you in your biomedical and biomaterial development endeavors.
Reference
- Dodero, A.; et al. Alginate-based hydrogels prepared via ionic gelation: An experimental design approach to predict the crosslinking degree. European Polymer Journal. 2019, 118: 586-594.
