Verena Piehler

 Master student

Tailoring Oxidized Hyaluronic Acid-Based Hydrogels for Neural Tissue Engineering

Supervisors: Markus Lorke, Prof. Aldo R. Boccaccini

 Hydrogels based on oxidized hyaluronic acid (OHA) show great potential for neural tissue engineering due to their brain-mimicking properties [1]. By adjusting the crosslinking density, altering hydrogel components, or modifying the oxidation degree, the mechanical properties, such as matrix stiffness and degradation kinetics, can be fine-tuned. These tailored properties are crucial for stimulating cellular responses and promoting cell proliferation [2]. The aim of this project is to investigate the effects of different oxidation times and the integration of an ECM molecule into the hydrogel matrix on mechanical properties and cell behavior. The project is carried out in the frame of the Collaborative Research Centre CRC 1540 Exploring Brain Mechanics.

[1] Kuth S.; Karakaya E.; Reiter N.; Schmidt L.; Paulsen F.; Teßmar J., et al. (2022): Oxidized Hyaluronic Acid-Gelatin-Based Hydrogels for Tissue Engineering and Soft Tissue Mimicking. Tissue Eng Part C Methods, 28 (7), p. 301–313. doi:10.1089/ten.TEC.2022.0004.

[2] A. H. Pandit, N. Mazumdar, and S. Ahmad, “Periodate oxidized hyaluronic acid-based hydrogel scaffolds for tissue engineering applications,” International Journal of Biological Macromolecules, vol. 137, pp. 853–869, 2019.