Molecular investigation of cross-linking and thermo-gelling of a novel collagen-based hydrogel

This project aims to study the molecular mechanisms behind curing, shear-thinning, and self-healing properties of an injectable gel designed to provide mechanical support to the damaged region of the heart after heart-attack. Myocardial infarction, commonly known as heart-attack, happens due to occlusion of an artery leading to lack of oxygen and nutrient supply resulting in death of cardiac cells responsible for beating. As a result, heart´s ability to pump blood diminishes resulting in enlargement of the heart due to accumulated blood in the chamber and the left ventricular (LV) wall began to thin. Collagen based injectable gels were used before to provide mechanical support to the LV wall or to deliver therapeutic cells or drugs. However, these gels were formed through collagen physical assembly. Our solution is a chemically crosslinked collagen gel which is self-healing. This gel can provide mechanical support as well as suitable for delivery of cells or drugs. Understanding the molecular-level mechanisms of self-healing could help us develop a more controlled gel system. To achieve this, we propose using SANS experiments to observe the real-time formation of structural elements during the gel curing process. These gels remain fully transparent throughout the gelling process making SANS an indispensable technique, as it is challenging to do so using other available scattering methods.