How Gelation Works
With VitroGel Hydrogels
Does not polymerize by temperature or by a cross-linking reagent.
How Does Gelation Work With VitroGel® Hydrogels?
Work confidently at room temperature. VitroGel® is liquid at room temperature and hydrogel polymerization is not temperature-dependent and does not require a cross-linking reagent.
STAGE ONE:
The VitroGel® solution is room temperature stable and free-flowing. Hydrogel gelation/formation starts by mixing the VitroGel® solution with the cell culture medium. Hydrogel molecules interact with ionic molecules such as Ca2+ and Na+ from the cell culture medium, forming the matrix structure (hydrogel).
When a small amount of ionic molecules is used, the process of hydrogel formation is slow. At this stage, the hydrogel is soft and possesses a shear-thinning and rapid-recovering mechanical property, which makes it easy to transfer to a culture plate or use for injection.
STAGE TWO:
After soft hydrogel formation, adding an additional cell culture medium on top of the hydrogel would allow more ionic molecules to penetrate the hydrogel matrix and further saturate the hydrogel cross-linking. A solid hydrogel would form during this process.
