Gelatine-Methacryloyl Hydrogels: A Versatile Biomaterial for Regenerative Medicine and Bioengineering

Research on the cell–material interface is shifting to the third dimension. Hydrogels can provide a suitable 3D environment for encapsulated cells, mimicking the native extracellular matrix.
As denatured extracellular matrix, gelatine provides an intrinsically favourable environment for 3D cell culture. When functionalised with unsaturated side groups, the resulting gelatine-methacryloyl (gelMA) forms a photo-curable hydrogel with tailorable properties, that can be used to engineer tissue analogues ranging from vasculature to cartilage and bone.
In this seminar I will summarise 7 years of research on gelMA, covering from synthesis, physical characterisation and mechanical reinforcement to application 3D bioprinting, cancer models and tissue engineering.