Elastin-like Polypeptide Based Hydrogel using Photoreactive and Amino Acid Analogs
Non-toxic, biocompatible, biodegradable hydrogel, ELP monomers functionalized for Tissue Engineering, No need for mixing cross-linking reagents prior to injection
Our inventors have developed a hydrogel consisting of nontoxic photo-reactive amino acid analogs incorporated directly into an elastin-like-peptide (ELP) sequence. The use of nontoxic photoreactive amino acid analogs allows gel formation to take place at the site of implantation and form to the shape of an implant site. This invention addresses a multitude of problems that are associated with hydrogel synthesis. Removing the need to conjugate a functional group to the monomers makes hydrogel synthesis an easier process and allows for better control over the number of photo-crosslinkable sites. Additionally, the ELP technology will provide more control over the amount of cross-linking sites within ELP monomers via providing a platform for fusion proteins containing growth factors, cell adhesion molecules, and other molecules crucial to regenerative medicine to be used as hydrogel monomers, which making it an attractive option for clinical use.
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