Spatial and Temporal Modulation of Cell Instructive Cues in a Filamentous Supramolecular Biomaterial.

ABSTRACT: Supramolecular materials provide unique opportunities to mimic both the structure and mechanics of the biopolymer networks that compose the extracellular matrix. However, strategies to modify their filamentous structures in space and time in 3D cell culture to study cell behavior as encountered in development and disease are lacking. We herein disclose a multicomponent squaramide-based supramolecular material whose mechanics and bioactivity can be controlled by light through co-assembly of a 1,2-dithiolane (DT) monomer that forms disulfide cross-links. Remarkably, increases in storage modulus from ∼200 Pa to >10 kPa after stepwise photo-cross-linking can be realized without an initiator while retaining colorlessness and clarity. Moreover, viscoelasticity and plasticity of the supramolecula

SUBMITTER: Tong C 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC9026256 | biostudies-literature | 2022 Apr

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature