(65f) Synthesis and Characterization of Poly(beta-amino ester) Hydrogel Systems as Orthopaedic Implants for Growth Plate Regeneration

Biodegradable hydrogels are widely researched biomaterials for many applications, such asin drug delivery and tissue engineering. This research focuses on the synthesis and characterization of biodegradable hydrogel scaffolds as orthopaedic implants for the regeneration of native growth plate tissue in patients suffering from growth plate injuries. Poly(beta-amino ester) hydrogel systems have been tailored to have the necessary degradation rates, mechanical properties, porosity, and cytotoxicity that can be used to invoke the regeneration of the native growth plate. Initial work included the synthesis and characterization of the macromer precursors. Macromers were characterized using gel permeation chromatography (GPC) and FTIR analysis. Hydrogels were then polymerized through a chemical initiated free radical polymerization and conversion was measured using FTIR analysis. The mechanical properties of the gels were determined through compression testing. Porosity was characterized using scanning electron microscopy (SEM) imaging. The cellular interactions with D1 pluripotent cells were also studied by fluorescent tagging of cells which were then seeded onto the hydrogel scaffold and subsequent cell viability analysis using the live/dead assay.