Hi,

I synthesized GelMA using carbonate buffer and maintained the pH at 9 throughout the synthesis. The carbonate buffer was made with MilliQ water. Subsequently dialysis was done using MilliQ water for 7 days. The entire GelMA was then lyophilized for 4 days till it formed a white foam.

When I tried to make hydrogels using LAP as the photoinitiator and kept them in PBS at room temperature, they disintegrate completely and form a cloudy solution. However, I did not find the same happening when I used distilled water. Is MilliQ water the problem or is something else happening? I also find PEG-Fibrinogen degrading in PBS made from MilliQ water.

Can someone help with this? Thank you for your assistance.