A major reported use of polyethylene glycol derivatives is for the development of hydrogels. Among the common uses of PEG hydrogels are the use as adhesives for wound closure, as controlled release matrices for therapeutics, for wound healing, as part of medical devices, and as regenerative medicine tools. A biodegradable cytocompatible bioadhesive hydrogel system from on oxidized methacrylated alginate/8-arm polyethylene glycol amine used for culture of human bone marrow-derived mesenchymal stem cells. The swelling behavior, degradation profiles, and storage moduli of the hydrogel bioadhesive were adjusted by varying the degree of oxidation of the alginate.
Applications of Polyethylene Glycol Hydrogels in Cell Culture and Tissue Models
PEG and PEG-copolymer hydrogels are practical solutions as scaffolds and have been used for cell culture; for controlled release of therapeutics; and for various other applications, including but not limited to tissue engineering. Larger amounts of ammonia cross linker used in the polymerization of an 8 arm PEG macromere, lead to higher crosslinking density and bulk of hydrogels, an increased surfaceelasticity and, generally, to smoother surface morphologies.