Introduction of a fluorescence chromaphore into bifunctional crosslinkers is designed to assign two different functions. Normal crosslinker properties together with a fluorescence signal for quantification. As an example of this type of fluorescent-labeled crosslinker, dansyl-labeled heterobifunctional crosslinker with an NHS ester and sulfhydryl group was synthesized. The application of the sy...

A polymeric crosslinker poly(ethylene glycol) derivative with dioleyl groups as hydrophobic group at both ends was developed for promoting cellular spheroid formation. Our approach to bridge cells was based on the crosslinking of cell membrane using a crosslinker via the hydrophobic interaction. Using the crosslinker, spheroid formation of pancreatic -cell line RIN in a round bottom 96-well pla...

The structure of polyacrylamide gels was studied using proton spin-lattice relaxation and PFG diffusion methods. Polyacrylamide gels, with total polymer concentrations ranging from 0.25 to 0.35 g/ml and crosslinker concentrations from 0 to 10% by weight, were studied. The data showed no effect of the crosslinker concentration on the diffusion of water molecules. The Ogston-Morris and Mackie-Mea...

DNA-cross-linked polyacrylamide hydrogels (DNA gels) are dynamic mechanical substrates. The addition of DNA oligomers can either increase or decrease the crosslinker density to modulate mechanical properties. These DNA-responsive gels show promise as substrates for cell culture and tissue-engineering applications, since the gels allow time-dependent mechanical modulation. Previously, we reporte...

A method is developed for encapsulation of bacterial biocatalysts in silica gels formed by silica nanoparticles (SNP) and a silicon alkoxide crosslinker. Formulation of the gel was optimized by changing the SNP size, SNP to crosslinker ratio and crosslinker functionality. Hydrolysis and condensation reactions of silicon alkoxide were controlled by water to alkoxide ratio (r) and pH of the solut...

In this manuscript we report the crosslinking of pre-existing macromolecules in solution through the use of photoactive benzophenone chromophores. We show that a bifunctional crosslinker composed of two benzophenone chromophores as well as a single benzophenone chromophore crosslink poly (butadiene) and poly (ethylene oxide) in solution to form insoluble gels when irradiated with UV light. The ...

Poly(ethyl acrylate) (PEA) induces the formation of biomimetic fibronectin (FN) (nano)networks upon simple adsorption from solutions, a process referred to as material-driven FN fibrillogenesis. The ability of PEA to organize FN has been demonstrated in 2D and 2.5D environments, but not as yet in 3D scaffolds, which incorporate three-dimensionality and chemical crosslinkers that may influence i...

Figure 3. Comparison of BSA crosslinking efficiency by SDS-PAGE. Different crosslinkers were incubated with BSA at molar excess of crosslinker to protein (e.g. 20, 100 or 500-fold). Crosslinking efficiency is shown by decreased mobility by SDS-PAGE and varied by crosslinker type, solubility and concentration. Figure 1. Structures of non-cleavable and MS-cleavable crosslinkers used for protein –...

This paper presents a pH-sensitive bifunctional crosslinker that enables facile conjugation of small molecule therapeutics to macromolecular carriers for use in drug delivery systems. This N-ethoxybenzylimidazole (NEBI) bifunctional crosslinker was designed to exploit mildly acidic, subcellular environments to trigger the release of therapeutics upon internalization in cells. We demonstrate tha...