The current investigation has demonstrated the increased
thermal stability and reduced water solubility of gelatinsugar
dispersions cross-linked byUVexposure. By increasing
the melting temperature of gelatin, we have removed a major impediment for use of gelatin in tissue engineering
applications. Since increased cross-link density generally
correlates with increased mechanical strength and resistance
to enzymatic degradation, it is also proposed that the
described methodology enhances gelatin’s ability to serve as
a material for cell scaffold applications.The method of crosslink
formation is posited to require the generation of free
radicals and the formation of dityrosine between neighboring
molecules. Future work will investigate whether a causal link
between tyrosine content and cross-link formation exists.
Through selective UV irradiation of gelatin-sugar dispersions,
it should be possible to synthesize physiologically
benign cell scaffolds with complex geometries for tissue
engineering and possibly organ growth.