Cartilage and Bone in Concert: Biofunctional Scaffolds for Osteochondral Regeneration

Subsequently, in chapter 5, we explore a blending strategy to tune the surface-density of ligands on the surface of scaffolds. In the second part of the thesis, hydrogels comprising biologically relevant groups for articular cartilage applications were developed. We describe in chapter 6 the synthesis of sulfonated hyaluronic acid-based polymers and hydrogels.

Finally, in chapter 7, the synthesis of novel copolymers is described with a tunable fraction of pendent sulfonate and aldehyde groups. In addition, we show the formation of strain-stiffening hydrogels using a hydrazide based crosslinker, ligand ligation, microfluidic printing, as well as the ability to replace hydrazone with oxime bonds via competitive binding.