Shear Induced Irreversible Gelation through Physical Network Formation

Hypotheses concerning structuring of extruded meat analogs

In this paper, we review the physicochemical phenomena occurring during the structuring processes in the manufacturing of plant-based meat analogs via high-moisture-extrusion (HME). After the initial discussion on the input materials, we discuss the hypotheses behind the physics of the functional tasks that can be defined for HME. For these hypotheses, we have taken a broader view than only the scientific literature on plant-based meat analogs but incorporated also literature from soft matter physics and patent literature. Many of these hypotheses remain to be proven. Hence, we hope that this overview will inspire researchers to fill the still-open knowledge gaps concerning the multiscale structure of meat analogs.

Enhancing cell seeding and osteogenesis of MSCs on 3D printed scaffolds through injectable BMP2 immobilized ECM-Mimetic gel

OBJECTIVE

Design of bioactive scaffolds with osteogenic capacity is a central challenge in cell-based patient-specific bone tissue engineering. Efficient and spatially uniform seeding of (stem) cells onto such constructs is vital to attain functional tissues. Herein we developed heparin functionalized collagen gels supported by 3D printed bioceramic scaffolds, as bone extracellular matrix (ECM)-mimetic matrices. These matrices were designed to enhance cell seeding efficiency of mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) as well as improve their osteogenic differentiation through immobilized bone morphogenic protein 2 (BMP2) to be used for personalized bone regeneration.

METHODS

A 3D gel based on heparin-conjugated collagen matrix capable of immobilizing recombinant human bone morphogenic protein 2 (BMP2) was synthesized. Isolated dental pulp Mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) were then encapsulated into the bone ECM microenvironment to efficiently and uniformly seed a bioactive ceramic-based scaffold fabricated using additive manufacturing technique. The designed 3D cell-laden constructs were comprehensively investigated trough in vitro assays and in vivo study.

RESULTS

In-depth rheological characterizations of heparin-conjugated collagen gel revealed that elasticity of the matrix is significantly improved compared with freely incorporated heparin. Investigation of the MSCs laden collagen-heparin hydrogels revealed their capability to provide spatiotemporal bioavailability of BMP2 while suppressing the matrix contraction over time. The in vivo histology and real-time polymerase chain reaction (qPCR) analysis showed that the designed construct supported the osteogenic differentiation of MSCs and induced the ectopic bone formation in rat model.

SIGNIFICANCE

The presented hybrid constructs combine bone ECM chemical cues with mechanical function providing an ideal 3D microenvironment for patient-specific bone tissue engineering and cell therapy applications. The implemented methodology in design of ECM-mimetic 3D matrix capable of immobilizing BMP2 to improve seeding efficiency of customized scaffolds can be exploited for other bioactive molecules.

Probing Gelation and Rheological Behavior of a Self-Assembled Molecular Gel

Molecular gels have been investigated over the last few decades; however, mechanical behavior of these self-assembled gels is not well understood, particularly how these materials fail at large strain. Here, we report the gelation and rheological behavior of a molecular gel formed by self-assembly of a low molecular weight gelator (LMWG), di-Fmoc-l-lysine, in 1-propanol/water mixture. Gels were prepared by solvent-triggered technique, and gelation was tracked using Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy and shear rheology. FTIR spectroscopy captures the formation of hydrogen bonding between the gelator molecules, and the change in IR spectra during the gelation process correlates with the gelation kinetics results captured by rheology. Self-assembly of gelator molecules leads to a fiber-like structure, and these long fibers topologically interact to form a gel-like material. Stretched-exponential function can capture the stress-relaxation data. Stress-relaxation time for these gels have been found to be long owing to long fiber dimensions, and the stretching exponent value of 1/3 indicates polydispersity in fiber dimensions. Cavitation rheology captures fracture-like behavior of these gels, and critical energy release rate has been estimated to be of the order 0.1 J/m². Our results provide new understanding of the rheological behavior of molecular gels and their structural origin.

Oscillations in modulus in solutions of graphene oxide and reduced graphene oxide with grafted poly-N-isopropylamide

In a material consisting of graphene oxide or reduced graphene oxide and poly-N-isopropylamide (PNIPAM) in an aqueous solution, a new type of rheological behaviour is found. When subjecting the material to a short and relatively small deformation pulse, the modulus, which is observed by small deformations in the linear-viscoelastic or very slightly nonlinear range, oscillates with periodicities between 100 and several 1000 seconds; however, in many cases, it also increases systematically. The periodicity depends on the filler content and the sample preparation method (in situ polymerisation vs. blending). When subjecting the material to high nonlinear deformations (γ0 = 100-300%), the resulting linear viscoelastic behaviour changes from a periodic oscillation to a quick recovery of the original data, followed by a decrease and a subsequent increase beyond the value of the modulus of the material prior to the deformation pulse.

Mechano-responsive gelation of water by a short alanine-derivative

We report the design of a structurally concise alanine derivative (Ala-hyd) that has a rotationally flexible aromatic N-protecting group for alanine and a hydrazide functionality at its carboxylic end. Ala-hyd requires mechanical agitation (physically stirring, vortexing or sonicating) to form supramolecular hydrogels at medium concentrations (0.4-0.8 wt%). At higher concentrations (>0.8 wt%), it spontaneously gelates water on undisturbed cooling of the hot solution, while at lower concentrations (<0.4 wt%), only turbid suspensions were formed upon agitation. In the <0.8 wt% regime, hydrogelation by Ala-hyd is modulated by its concentration as well as by the extent of applied mechanical agitation. Turbidimetry and fluorescence spectroscopy indicate enhanced self-assembly of Ala-hyd upon agitation, and FTIR studies point towards stronger hydrogen bonds in the resulting assemblies. Since Ala-hyd requires mechanical agitation to undergo self-assembly, its aqueous sols exhibited mild shear-thickening behaviour in buffered as well as salt-free conditions. During shearing, the formation of an entangled mesh of long, helical nanofibers coincided with the maximum in the bulk shear viscosity. pH-dependent rheological investigations indicate that protonation of the amine unit (pKa = 8.9) of hydrazide diminishes the self-assembly propensity of this compound. The self-assembly of Ala-hyd can thus be modulated through mechanical as well as chemical cues.