Photocurable Albumin Methacryloyl Hydrogels as a Versatile Platform for Tissue Engineering

Photopolymerization of protein-derived polymers functionalized with methacryloyl groups has been increasingly used to fabricate three-dimensional tissue constructs for biomedical applications because photocurable protein-based polymers (e.g., gelatin and collagen methacryloyl) feature spatial-temporal controllability of engineering complex constructs as well as inherent biological properties. Herein, we report photocurable albumin-based hydrogels. First, photocurable bovine serum albumin methacryloyl (BSA-MA) with different degrees of substitution (DM) was successfully synthesized in a precise manner, without substantially altering BSA native secondary structure. Resultant photocurable BSA-MA hydrogels exhibited tunable physio-biochemical properties over the swelling, degradation, and mechanical properties. Moreover, photo-cross-linked BSA-MA hydrogels provided a permissible environment to support cell viability and functionality both in two- and three-dimensional culture systems. Photocurable BSA-MA hydrogels may be used as a versatile platform for various bioapplications including tissue engineering and 3D bioprinting.