Regensburg 2010 – wissenschaftliches Programm
Bereiche | Tage | Auswahl | Suche | Downloads | Hilfe
CPP: Fachverband Chemische Physik und Polymerphysik
CPP 10: Poster: Structure and Dynamics of Responsive Hydrogels
CPP 10.2: Poster
Montag, 22. März 2010, 16:30–18:00, Poster C
Star-PEG-Heparin-Polyelectrolyte-Hydrogels- viscoelasticity and swelling behavior — •Ron Dockhorn1,2, Uwe Freudenberg1, Petra B. Welzel1, Kandice Levental1, Jens-Uwe Sommer1,2, and Carsten Werner1 — 1Leibniz Institute of Polymer Research Dresden, D-01069 Dresden, Germany — 2Technische Universität Dresden, Institute for Theoretical Physics, D-01069 Dresden, Germany
We are studying a new class of biohybrid networks made of heparin (HEP), a highly charged glycosaminoglycan, and non-charged, elastic 4-star-shaped-polyethylene glycol (PEG) in solutions of various salt concentrations. We use a mean-field type model to understand the combined effects of counterions and a good solvent on the swelling properties of the gels. By changing the mole-fraction between HEP and PEG the effective degree of cross-linking can be controlled. The interplay between charge and excluded volume effects lead to nearly constant heparin concentration in the swollen gel under physiological conditions, independent of the mole-fraction at preparation while allowing large variations of the storage modulus and degree of swelling. This opens the possibility to synthesize gels which allow a constant release of heparin-binding signaling molecules while independently controlling the mechanical properties to optimize matrices with both mechanical and biomolecular cues for cell replacement-based therapies.