Peptide-reinforced, photocrosslinkable PEG-based hydrogels.

ABSTRACT: Hydrogels are polymer networks that swell in aqueous solvents. These materials have applications in many fields, including drug delivery, tissue engineering, and soft robotics. For example, polyethylene glycol (PEG) diacrylate is often used as a light-curable crosslinker for the synthesis of PEG-based hydrogels, e.g., in bioinks for 3D printing. However, a common limitation of PEG hydrogels is their typically poor mechanical properties, particularly when in a swollen state. The mechanical strength of natural polymeric materials, such as spider silk and collagen, arises from the formation of hierarchical secondary protein structures that unfold under mechanical load. Here, we present a bio-inspired approach to reinforcing PEG-based hydrogels that mimics these hierarchical structures

SUBMITTER: Russell S 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC12837397 | biostudies-literature | 2026 Jan

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature