NU 2011-073

Inventors

Daniel E Fullenkamp
Lihong He
Phillip B Messersmith*

Abstract

Northwestern researchers have prepared cross-linked polymeric hydrogels through the complex formation of a branched catechol derivative of polyethylene glycol (PEG) with 1,3-benzenediboronic acid. This particular technology was inspired by previous studies of a catechol-containing polymer that mimics mussel adhesive proteins. The pH-responsiveness of the hydrogel has been fully characterized and demonstrates covalent gel behavior at alkaline pH and dissociation into a viscous liquid at neutral or acidic pH. This is the first report of a PEG hydrogel based on a complex containing a multifunctional catechol polymer and a bifunctional borate compound. The dynamic nature of the boronate ester linkages give rise to self-healing hydrogels exhibiting high stability at high pH and lower stability at low pH conditions.

Applications

• Biomedical Tool: Surgical sutures
• Biomedical Material: Tissue replacement
• Drug Delivery: Encapsulation of therapeutic cells or drugs

Advantages

• Multifunctional properties of the catechol and boronate
• Robust adhesion of polymer
• Self-healing
• pH-based Characteristics

Publications

Lihong He, Dominic E. Fullenkamp, Jose G. Rivera and Phillip B. Messersmith (2011) pH responsive self-healing hydrogels formed by boronate-catechol complexation. Chemical Communications. 47: 7497-7499.

IP Status

A patent application has been filed.