METHODS AND GEL COMPOSITIONS FOR ENCAPSULATING LIVING CELLS AND ORGANIC MOLECULES

摘要

A method for encapsulating biologics within a hydrogel by using an aqueous solution of an isocyanate-functional polyurethane prepolymer which is mixed with an amount of biologics and an aqueous solution containing a dithiol crosslinking agent under physiological pH conditions to create a hydrogel. An additional bidentate crosslinking agent is optionally included. The product of such method may be a bioreactor or an assay device having a plurality of different biologics encapsulated at predetermined locations in a substrate.