Hamidreza mokhtari Kharaziha - Department of Materials Engineering, Isfahan University of Technology, Isfahan, Iran.
Mahshid Kharzaiha - Department of Materials Engineering, Isfahan University of Technology, Isfahan, Iran.
Fatholah karimzadeh - Department of Materials Engineering, Isfahan University of Technology, Isfahan, Iran.

IntroductionInjectable hydrogels are examined for cell encapsulation and delivery as they can shield cells from high shear forces. Kappa-carrageenan is a natural polysaccharide closely resembling the native glycosaminoglycan structure, one of the most important constituents of cartilage tissues extracellular matrix.ObjectivesThe aim of this study photo-crosslinkable Kappa-carrageenan-graphene for cartilage tissue engineering. MethodsIn this respect, methacrylate Kappa-carrageenan (KAMA) was primary synthesized to create chemically crosslinked hydrogels emphasizing their use in the context of tissue engineering. Consequently, KAMA-Graphene based nanocomposite was synthesized using poly(dopamine)-functionalized graphene oxide (GO) (GOPD). Herein parallel, we develop another versatile 2D nanomaterials, surface functionalization of GO with poly(dopamine) (GOPD).ResultsOur results showed that incorporation of GOPD significantly improved the mechanical properties of KAMA hydrogel. Moreover, the combination of chemical and physical crosslinking procedures enables the formation of hydrogels with highly versatile physical and chemical properties, in order to mention the viability of encapsulated cells.

Carrageenan, Hydrogels, Injectable, Shear thinning, Cell delivery