Hybrid hydrogels assembled from synthetic polymers and coiled-coil protein domains
Article Abstract:
Polymer hydrogels that sell or shrink in response to environmental changes are used as smart biomaterials and in drug-delivery systems. They are mainly prepared from a small number of synthetic polymers and copolymers. Many factors influence the link between structure and properties in such systems. A hybrid hydrogel system has been assembled from water-soluble synthetic polymers and a coiled coil, which undergoes temperature-induced collapse due to the cooperative conformational transition of the coiled-coil protein domain.
Publication Name: Nature
Subject: Zoology and wildlife conservation
ISSN: 0028-0836
Year: 1999
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Shape memory in hydrogels
Article Abstract:
Many polymer gels change their shape in response to external factors, such as temperature, pH, electric fields and light, and are very useful in biomedical applications. In polymer hydrogels, water molecules fill the interstitial sites of a crosslinked polymer network. These materials can be used in biological tissues as they are soft and wet. The property of shape memory makes them very useful in making thermally responsive diaphragms and temperature-activated surgical clamps.
Publication Name: Nature
Subject: Zoology and wildlife conservation
ISSN: 0028-0836
Year: 1995
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Comb-type grafted hydrogels with rapid de-swelling response to temperature changes
Article Abstract:
A molecular level design of the architecture of a polymer hydrogel contributes to the rapid deswelling of this gel. The polymer chains of the newly prepared comb-type crosslinked hydrogel contain grafted poly(N-isopropyl acrylamide) side chains that create hydrophobic regions. With increasing temperature, these grafted chains in the expanded forms collapse to compact forms, expelling water from the network.
Publication Name: Nature
Subject: Zoology and wildlife conservation
ISSN: 0028-0836
Year: 1995
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