Mussel-Inspired Adhesive and Tough Hydrogel Based on Silk-Triggered Dopamine Polymerization for Wound Healing.

ABSTRACT: Tissue engineering is a great alternative to repair and regenerate damaged tissues and organs. Hydrogels are promising materials for tissue repair, but optimizing their various functions-such as adhesion, mechanical properties, and vascularization-to suit the complexity of different organs and tissues remains a significant challenge. In this study, we explore a tough and adhesive polydopamine (PDA)-silk-polyacrylamide (PAM) hydrogel inspired by the mussel-inspired adhesion of PDA and the vascularization potential of silk. Through a Schiff base reaction, self-polymerization occurs between the free dopamine and the conjugated dopamine on the silk chains, resulting in the formation of a PDA/silk prepolymer. The presence of PDA in the prepolymer endows the resulting PDA-silk-PAM hydrogel with

SUBMITTER: Wang YG 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC12362727 | biostudies-literature | 2025 Sep

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature