Photo-patterned polymer-based hydrogels for templated nerve regeneration

该项目旨在制备一类新的聚合物水凝胶，其允许在神经导管内的神经修复/再生的背景下进行模板化细胞附着和组织生成。这些水凝胶将使用一种新的光可裂解交联剂制备，该交联剂将在内部合成，并用于制备一系列具有可调形状、溶胀比和关键的刚度的水凝胶。这将使我们能够在3D中以毫米（通道尺寸）和微米尺度对凝胶进行图案化。4例如，使用光掩模，我们将在通道周边蚀刻微槽，因为这已被证明可以诱导细胞沿着神经通道排列，从而增强神经功能。5这种特定交联剂的新型化学物质还将允许在图案化凝胶内结合N末端特异性肽。可以设想，适当肽的结合将引导细胞沿着通道附着和生长，同时帮助它们沿着微槽排列。此外，被当前导管设计所忽视的血管通道将通过增强营养转移到再生神经来实现更长的导管长度。

This project aims to prepare a new class of polymeric hydrogels which allow templated cell attachment and tissue generation in the context of nerve repair/regeneration within nerve conduits. These hydrogels will be prepared using a new photo-cleavable cross-linker, which will be synthesised in house, and used to prepare a range of hydrogels with tuneable shape, swelling ratio and crucially, stiffness.3 The photo-cleavable the interior of these to be etched away when exposed to light. This will allow us to pattern the gels at both the millimetre (channel size) and micron scale in 3D.4 For example, using a photomask we will etch microgrooves around the channel perimeter as this has been shown to induce cell alignment down the nerve channels resulting in enhanced nerve function.5 The novel chemistry of this particular cross-linker will also allow N-terminus specific peptide binding within the patterned gels. It is envisioned that the binding of appropriate peptides will direct both cell attachment and growth along the channels while helping them to align them along the microgrooves. Additionally, channels for blood vessels, which are overlooked by current conduit designs, will be critical in achieving longer conduit lengths by enhancing the nutrient transfer to the regenerating nerve.