The formation of protein concentration gradients mediated by density differences of poly(ethylene glycol) microspheres.

ABSTRACT: A critical element in the formation of scaffolds for tissue engineering is the introduction of concentration gradients of bioactive molecules. We explored the use of poly(ethylene glycol) (PEG) microspheres fabricated via a thermally induced phase separation to facilitate the creation of gradients in scaffolds. PEG microspheres were produced with different densities (buoyancies) and centrifuged to develop microsphere gradients. We previously found that the time to gelation following phase separation controlled the size of microspheres in the de-swollen state, while crosslink density affected swelling following buffer exchange into PBS. The principle factors used here to control microsphere densities were the temperature at which the PEG solutions were reacted following phase separation in

SUBMITTER: Roam JL 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC2949512 | biostudies-literature | 2010 Nov

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature