Material characterization of ca-alginate hydrogel

Abstract

Biopolymeric hydrogels have been utilized as a technique to provide three-dimensional structures and microenvironment for many cell types in-vitro and in-vivo. Ca-alginate hydrogels have the potential of being a biocompatible polymeric scaffold with structurally similarity to the extra-cellular matrix. Recently in our lab, we have shown that it is able to support proliferation of encapsulated hematopoietic stem cells in-vitro. To better understand and control the impact of biophysical cues provided by alginate hydrogels, we performed mechanical and structural characterization of Ca-alginate hydrogels in varying chemical compositions. In this study, the effects of alginate viscosity, calcium ions and alginate concentration on the mechanical properties, surface topography, and swelling abilities were investigated.