Principle Investigator: MAREK CZARNOTA
Grant PRELUDIUM 23 (National Science Centre, Poland), 2024/53/N/ST4/00641
About the project:
The aim of the project is to develop a Nuclear Magnetic Resonance (NMR) methodology for analyzing the formation of porous materials in situ using Restricted Diffusion Ultra-Fast NMR (RD-UFNMR). We have chosen the formation of gelatin methacrylate (GELMA) hydrogels during UV irradiation as an exemplary system for this study due to its pivotal importance in biomedical applications, including bionic organ development. Our goal is to monitor the crosslinking process and the creation of the porous structure in near real-time conditions. To achieve this, we will employ two approaches to irradiation: continuous and intermittent. For the intermittent approach, we will integrate the irradiation system with the NMR spectrometer to perform measurements between short UV pulses. For the continuous approach, we will conduct experiments during the irradiation process. Additionally, we will investigate how various GELMA sample parameters, such as concentration and degree of substitution, affect pore formation. Hydrogel formation is a rapid process, so we will use RD-UFNMR, which allows us to gain insights into this fast-changing system. Hydrogels are three-dimensional polymers characterized by their ability to swell and absorb water, creating a porous and elastic structure that supports cell growth. GELMA is a popular hydrogel in 3D bioprinting due to its biocompatibility. For instance, GELMA can be used as bioink to print bionic organs, such as the pancreas. The formation of GELMA hydrogel occurs during the irradiation of a GELMA solution with photoinitiators, leading to the crosslinking of methacrylic groups and the development of a porous structure. The pore size, which is crucial for mimicking the natural structure of organs, can be controlled by varying parameters such as GELMA concentration, degree of substitution, and irradiation intensity and duration. We will perform our measurements using both a high-field NMR spectrometer and a low-field benchtop spectrometer. Successful measurements with the low-field spectrometer will provide a more cost-effective and accessible method for investigating porous materials. The successful implementation of this project will create a new toolbox for studying the formation of porous structures on a previously inaccessible time scale, opening new avenues for the investigation of hydrogels with biorelevant functionalities.