In vitro Evaluation of the Cell Substrate Properties of Fmoc-Diphenylalanine Hydrogel

摘要

The recent developments in tissue engineering and regenerative medicine have presented the need for synthetic gels that mimic the extra cellular matrix. The driving force behind this research is the requirement for 3D scaffolds to support the formation of functional tissue (1). Hydrogels have shown much potential for applications within this field of research however, more recently a new class of hydrogel based on Fmoc protected peptides has emerged. These fmoc-peptide gels have the ability to self assemble at neutral pH and have been shown to have ideal physical properties for 3D tissue engineering (2). Currently little is known about the cell substrate potential of this new class of biomaterial. On this basis, the research described hereinafter aims to investigate the potential of Fmoc-di-phenylalanine (Fmoc-FF) hydrogels to support Human Vascular Endothelial Cells (HUVEC) adhesion and proliferation.