I am looking to measure the degradation of an injectable collagen hydrogel when exposed to an enzymatic media but I am having a difficult time finding a method that works when the gel cannot be handled/scooped.
Do you mean that it is too soft to handle or is it entirely liquid? If it is simply soft, you can add it to a pre-weighed microcentrifuge tube, add the enzyme solution and incubate. Decant and wash as appropriate, then dry the hydrogel inside the tube to get the remaining weight. If it is a viscous liquid that cannot be filtered or decanted, consider doing gel electrophoresis.
in case, the degradation in-vivo test, you can evaluate the degradation the injectable gel by measuring the weight and size of the gel. you can set up a time for test 3-6-9-12...days or 1-2-3-4 weeks
Dear Eva Sheppard-Perkins,
You could use microcentrifuge and weigh before allocate your soft hydrogel followed by the weight after inserted with your hydrogel. Post-enzymatic treatment please freeze-dry and weigh your remaining hydrogel. I hope it could assist you and best of luck!
Fauzi Mb, Vu Viet Linh Nguyen , Bin Jeremiah Duenas Barba , thank you for these responses! I will be trying out these suggestions. Much appreciated!
- Badges
- Science method