Synthesis and characterization of biodegradable cationic poly ( propylene fumarate-co-ethylene glycol) copolymer hydrogels modified with agmatine for enhanced cell adhesion

Abstract

A cross-linkable monomer comprises a fumaric acid functional group having a first end and a second end, a first spacer group affixed to said first end and comprising at least repeating unit, a first terminal group affixed to said first spacer group, a second spacer group affixed to said second end and comprising at least one ethylene glycol repeating unit, and a second terminal group affixed to said second spacer group. A hydrogel formed by cross-linking the present monomer and a method for making the monomer. A method for forming a hydrogel, comprises the steps of a) synthesizing a copolymer of poly(propylene fumarate) (PPF) and poly(ethylene glycol (PEG) so as to produce P(PF-co-EG), b) synthesizing a PEG-tethered fumarate (PEGF), c) coupling agmatine sulfate to the PEGF to produce PEGF modified with agmatine (Agm-PEGF), and d) cross-linking the P(PF-co-EG) from step a) with Agm-PEGF from step c).

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.