Papers Published

1. Quek, C.H. and Li, J. and Sun, T. and Chan, M.L.H. and Mao, H.Q. and Gan, L.M. and Leong, K.W. and Yu, H., Photo-crosslinkable microcapsules formed by polyelectrolyte copolymer and modified collagen for rat hepatocyte encapsulation, Transactions - 7th World Biomaterials Congress (2004), pp. 330 - .
   (last updated on 2007/04/13)

   Abstract:
   New anionic polyelectrolyte tetra-copolymers based on methyl methacrylate (MMA), 2-hydroxyethyl methacrylate (HEMA), methacrylic acid (MAA) and a photo-crosslinkable 4-(4-methoxycinnamoyl) phenyl methacrylate monomer (MeOCPMA) were synthesized. Photo-crosslinkable microcapsules were formed by complex coacervation reaction of modified collagen that constituted the inner core with the tetra-copolymers as the outer photo-crosslinkable copolymer shell. Upon photo-crosslinking of the microcapsules with uv-vis light irradiation, the mechanical strength of these microcapsules was dramatically strengthened. The cellular functions of the encapsulated hepatocytes were also enhanced. These new photo-crosslinkable tetra-copolymer formulations have opened a way to the development of hepatocyte microencapsulation technology for bioartificial liver assist device (BLAD).

   Keywords:
   Polyelectrolytes;Collagen;Crosslinking;Encapsulation;Polymethyl methacrylates;Polystyrenes;Urea;Antibodies;Chemical reactors;Immunology;Precipitation (chemical);Polymerization;Synthesis (chemical);Calorimetry;