Abstract

Hydrogels are studied extensively for many tissue engineering applications, and their mechanical properties influence both cellular and tissue compatibility. However, it is difficult to compare the mechanical properties of hydrogels between studies due to a lack of continuity between rheological protocols. This study outlines a straightforward protocol to accurately determine hydrogel equilibrium modulus and gelation time using a series of rheological tests. These protocols are applied to several hydrogel systems used within tissue engineering applications: agarose, collagen, fibrin, Matrigel™, and methylcellulose. The protocol is outlined in four steps: (1) Time sweeps to determine the gelation time of the hydrogel. (2) Strain sweeps to determine the linear-viscoelastic region of the hydrogel with respect to strain. (3) Frequency sweep to determine the linear equilibrium modulus plateau of the hydrogel. (4) Time sweeps with values obtained from strain and frequency sweeps to accurately report the equilibrium moduli and gelation time. Finally, the rheological characterization protocol was evaluated using a composite Matrigel™-methylcellulose hydrogel blend whose mechanical properties were previously unknown. The protocol described herein provides a standardized approach for proper analysis of hydrogel rheological properties. © 2013 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.

Department(s)

Chemical and Biochemical Engineering

Comments

Eunice Kennedy Shriver National Institute of Child Health and Human Development, Grant R15HD061096

Keywords and Phrases

agarose; biomaterial; collagen; fibrin; hydrogel; Matrigel™; methylcellulose; rheology

International Standard Serial Number (ISSN)

1552-4981; 1552-4973

Document Type

Article - Journal

Document Version

Citation

File Type

text

Language(s)

English

Rights

© 2025 Wiley, All rights reserved.

Publication Date

01 Jan 2014

PubMed ID

24357498

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