Synthesis and properties of amphiphilic networks. 1: the effect of hydration and polymer composition on the adhesion of immunoglobulin-G to poly(laurylmethacrylate-stat-glycerolmonomethacrylate-stat-ethylene-glycol-dimethacrylate) networks

A series of hydrogels composed of varying fractions of dodecyl methacrylate (DM) and 2,3-dihydroxypropyl methacrylate (GM) were prepared using ethylen e glycol dimethacrylate (EGDMA) as the cross-linking agent. The study found that for a series of gels with the same monomer ratio, bulk hydration coul d be controlled by adjusting the cross-link density. The ability to control cross-link density allowed the preparation of gels with the same bulk hydr ation but different ratios of the two monomers. The adsorption of IgG to th e gels was investigated using ELISA. The aim of the project was to investig ate the effect of the bulk hydration and polymer composition on IgG adsorpt ion. The results show that for a series of gels with the same monomer ratio , there is a clear trend towards a reduction in protein adsorption as the b ulk hydration and accompanying chain mobility of the gel increases. Studies on gels of the same bulk hydration but differing ratios of monomer show hi gher protein adsorption as the proportion of GM increases. (C) 2000 Elsevie r Science Ltd. All rights reserved.