biostudies-literatureUnknown17(37)Reed JAStimuli-responsive hydrogels that provide controlled degradation can be used as bacteria delivery systems for advanced therapeutic applications. Here, we report the first use of photodegradable hydrogels as materials that can direct bacterial movement, tune mean bacteria speed, and control bacteria delivery through spatiotemporal control of degradation. Hydrogels were formed using base-catalyzed Michael addition reactions between photodegradable poly(ethylene glycol) (PEG) <i>o</i>-nitrobenzyl diacrylate macromers and PEG tetra-thiol cross-linkers within microfluidic channels. Nutrient gradients were generated across the channel, and micron-scale regions of the hydrogel were partially degraded by exposure to controlled doses (2.1-168 mJ/mm²) of patterned 365 nm light. Hydrogel dACS applied materials & interfaces51919-51930https://www.ebi.ac.uk/biostudies/studies/S-EPMC12447405biostudies-literaturePhotodegradable Hydrogel Matrices for Spatiotemporal Control of Bacteria Transport and Delivery.PMC12447405Reed JARetterer STHansen RRfalsePhotodegradable Hydrogel Matrices for Spatiotemporal Control of Bacteria Transport and Delivery.Stimuli-responsive hydrogels that provide controlled degradation can be used as bacteria delivery systems for advanced therapeutic applications. Here, we report the first use of photodegradable hydrogels as materials that can direct bacterial movement, tune mean bacteria speed, and control bacteria delivery through spatiotemporal control of degradation. Hydrogels were formed using base-catalyzed Michael addition reactions between photodegradable poly(ethylene glycol) (PEG) <i>o</i>-nitrobenzyl diacrylate macromers and PEG tetra-thiol cross-linkers within microfluidic channels. Nutrient gradients were generated across the channel, and micron-scale regions of the hydrogel were partially degraded by exposure to controlled doses (2.1-168 mJ/mm²) of patterned 365 nm light. Hydrogel d2025-01-01T00:00:00Z2025 Sep2026-06-03T15:02:42.432Z2026-04-28T03:11:45.793ZS-EPMC124474054089179710.1021/acsami.5c14670