Polyethylene Glycol (PEG) Hydrogels
Empowering Innovation in Every Drop
Biocompatible Solutions for Advanced Applications
PEG hydrogels are hydrophilic, three-dimensional polymeric networks known for their ability to retain water while maintaining structural integrity. As a versatile, biocompatible polymer, PEG serves as the backbone of numerous hydrogel formulations, offering flexibility and chemical modification potential.
Key Advantages of PEG Hydrogels:
- Absorb and retain significant amounts of water.
- Biocompatible and low-toxicity polymer.
- Tunable mechanical strength, swelling, and degradation rates.
- Suitable for applications such as tissue engineering, drug delivery, wound healing, and 3D bioprinting.
PEGylation and Its Applications
PEGylation involves attaching PEG chains to therapeutic molecules to enhance their stability and performance.
Benefits of PEGylation:
- Reduces immunogenicity and proteolytic degradation.
- Improves pharmacokinetics and molecule stability.
- Achieved with derivatives like PEG-NHS (targeting amines) or PEG-maleimides (targeting thiols).
PEGylation enhances the interaction of therapeutic agents with biological systems, boosting their efficacy and improving usability.
Physical and Chemical Properties of PEG
PEG’s unique physical and chemical properties make it a versatile material for various applications:
- Physical Form: Varies with molecular weight:
- 200–800 MW: Clear, viscous liquids.
- 1000–3000 MW: Paste to waxy solids.
- 3000+ MW: Free-flowing powders.
- Solubility: Highly soluble in water and versatile solvents like DMSO, chloroform, methanol, and more.
- Thermal Stability: Maintains stability across a broad temperature range, ideal for diverse applications.
These physical and chemical properties enable PEG to adapt to a wide range of applications, from biomedical solutions to industrial innovations. Its versatility and reliability make it a foundational material for research and development.
Functional and Biocompatible Features of PEG
PEG is engineered for optimal functionality and compatibility with sensitive formulations:
- Functionality:
- Homobifunctional (X-PEG-X) or heterobifunctional (X-PEG-Y) for tailored reactivity.
- Monofunctional (mPEG-X) to inhibit unwanted crosslinking reactions.
- Biocompatibility: Biologically safe, with end-group functionalities that minimize immune response.
- Molecular Weight Variability: Available in a wide range of monodispersed molecular weights (PDI ≤ 1.2), ensuring customizable properties.
- Non-Reactive Nature: Its chemically inert backbone makes it an excellent stabilizing agent for sensitive formulations.
The functionality and biocompatibility of PEG ensure its effectiveness in sensitive applications, supporting breakthroughs in drug delivery, medical devices, and advanced formulations. With tailored solutions, PEG continues to drive innovation.
PEG Derivatives for Hydrogel Crosslinking
PEG derivatives offer a wide range of functionalities tailored to hydrogel synthesis. Below are some commonly used PEG derivatives and their key features.
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- A versatile crosslinker for photo-initiated polymerization.
- Used in tissue engineering and drug delivery systems due to tunable stiffness and degradation rates.
- Similar to PEGDA but with enhanced rigidity due to methacrylate sterics.
- Ideal for applications requiring higher mechanical strength.
- Features terminal epoxides for robust covalent networks.
- Suitable for applications demanding chemically stable hydrogels.
- Enables thiol-ene "click" chemistry for rapid hydrogel formation under mild conditions.
- Particularly useful for encapsulating sensitive biological materials.
- Facilitates PEGylation via primary amines, forming stable amide bonds.
- Used for modifying proteins, peptides, and antibodies in therapeutic and diagnostic applications.
- Designed for covalent bonding to hydroxyl-rich surfaces like glass or silica.
- Applications include anti-fouling coatings, biosensors, and drug delivery.
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Contact UsPage References:
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- Ramirez-Paz, J., Saxena, M., Delinois, L. J., Joaquín-Ovalle, F. M., Lin, S., Chen, Z., ... & Griebenow, K. (2018). Thiol-maleimide poly (ethylene glycol) crosslinking of L-asparaginase subunits at recombinant cysteine residues introduced by mutagenesis. Plos one, 13(7), e0197643. https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0197643
- Brady JD, T.; Lee PI; Li JX, Polymer Properties and Characterization, in: Qui YC, Y.; Zhang GGZ; Yu L; Mantri RV (Ed.) Developing Solid Oral Dosage Forms, Elsevier; 2017, pp. 181–223 Paper Excerpt PDF
- Bjugstad, K. B., Redmond Jr, D. E., Lampe, K. J., Kern, D. S., Sladek Jr, J. R., & Mahoney, M. J. (2008). Biocompatibility of PEG-based hydrogels in primate brain. Cell transplantation, 17(4), 409-415. https://doi.org/10.3727/096368908784423292
- Treetharnmathurot, B., Ovartlarnporn, C., Wungsintaweekul, J., Duncan, R., & Wiwattanapatapee, R. (2008). Effect of PEG molecular weight and linking chemistry on the biological activity and thermal stability of PEGylated trypsin. International journal of pharmaceutics, 357(1-2), 252-259. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ijpharm.2008.01.016