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Abstract
Polyethylene glycol (PEG) hydrogels are widely used in a variety of biomedical applications,
including matrices for controlled release of biomolecules and scaffolds for regenerative
medicine. The design, fabrication, and characterization of PEG hydrogels rely on the
understanding of fundamental gelation kinetics as well as the purpose of the application.
This review article will focus on different polymerization mechanisms of PEG-based
hydrogels and the importance of these biocompatible hydrogels in regenerative medicine
applications. Furthermore, the design criteria that are important in maintaining the
availability and stability of the biomolecules as well as the mechanisms for loading
of biomolecules within PEG hydrogels will also be discussed. Finally, we overview
and provide a perspective on some of the emerging novel design and applications of
PEG hydrogel systems, including the spatiotemporal-controlled delivery of biomolecules,
hybrid hydrogels, and PEG hydrogels designed for controlled stem cell differentiation.
Department of Chemical and Biological Engineering and the Howard Hughes Medical Institute,
University of Colorado at Boulder, Boulder, Colorado
Author notes
[*
]To whom correspondence should be addressed: Kristi S. Anseth, Ph.D., Distinguished
Professor, HHMI Investigator, Dept. of Chemical and Biological Engineering, University
of Colorado, Boulder, CO 80309,
Kristi.Anseth@
123456Colorado.EDU