PEER-REVIEWED PUBLICATION

2025

3D-Printable, Self-Stiffening (4D) and Shape Morphing Hydrogel through Single-Step Orthogonal Crosslinking of Phenolic Biopolymers for Dynamic Tissue Engineering

Gungor NN, Kurt T, et al.

Advanced Healthcare Materials

Ankara University, University of Nottingham, Çankaya University

RESEARCH SUMMARY

This study presents a multicomponent hydrogel composed of silk fibroin (SF), tyramine-modified hyaluronic acid (HA_Tyr), and tyramine-modified gelatin (G_Tyr) that undergoes enzymatic orthogonal crosslinking via phenolic group interactions. The resulting SHG hydrogel demonstrates self-stiffening and shape-morphing properties (4D behavior) when exposed to physiological conditions (37 °C, PBS), due to SF conformational folding and fibril formation. The extrusion-based 3D-printable hydrogel allows precise geometrical fabrication, and exhibits tunable mechanical properties, excellent biocompatibility, and proangiogenic behavior in the CAM assay, making it a strong candidate for dynamic and fibrillar tissue regeneration.

Compression tests of prepared SHG hydrogel samples were conducted using a micromechanical testing device (UniVert, CellScale Biomaterials Testing). Hydrogels were mounted between compression platens and tested under unconfined conditions at room temperature. The UniVert compression data demonstrated self-stiffening behavior, where the compressive modulus increased over time and under deformation, confirming the time-dependent mechanical reinforcement associated with silk fibroin fibrillation.

AUTHORS

Nuriye Nazet Gungor, Tugce Kurt, Buse Sari, Melis Isik, Babatunde O. Okesola, Yavuz Emre Arslan, Burak Derkus.

PUBLICATION DETAILS

JOURNAL

Advanced Healthcare Materials

YEAR

2025

INSTITUTIONS

Ankara University, University of Nottingham, Çankaya University

COUNTRIES

Turkey, United Kingdom

INSTRUMENT USED

UniVert

TESTING METHODS

Compression TestingViscoelastic & Time-Dependent Testing

RESEARCH APPLICATIONS

3D Bioprinting & Bioink Materials TestingHydrogel Mechanical TestingInjectable & Regenerative BiomaterialsStimuli Responsive Hydrogels Characterization

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