Week 3:

Hello prospective scientists! 

This week our team has been tirelessly exploring new options of how to optimize our hydrogel structure and collect the necessary materials to begin testing. We have already purchased and received our Sodium Alginate and calcium chloride bundle from amazon.com and a link will be provided for anyone who wishes to find it themselves. We also discovered literature that described how we could change the way our hydrogel releases the protein-based drugs by altering the Ca++ ion concentration in the solution when forming the hydrogel. From the previous class Dr. Cheng demonstrated how the percent concentration of the calcium salt to the alginate concentration begins to alter the viscosity of the hydrogel, which in turn changes how well substances can be released on a timely basis. After careful examination, our group has found that a 2% calcium chloride-Alginate solution will be optimal in its viscosity to hold our growth factors. To test this theory, we will be using a luminous protein instead of growth factors which will give us an idea of what else needs to be changed in our hydrogel design. We hope the get the luminous protein sometime next week. 

Amazon Alginate-Calcium Bundle