FURI | Fall 2024

Azide-PEG-SG Hydrogel Characterization through Rheological Assessments

Type 1 Diabetes Mellitus (T1D) is an autoimmune disease that impairs pancreatic islet function and causes chronic blood glucose dysregulation. Islet cell transplantation is a promising solution, but antigen recognition by the immune system necessitates toxic immunosuppressant therapies for graft viability. Literature suggests that trophoblast extracellular vesicles (EVs) contain immunomodulatory factors that could suppress the immune response locally. Hydrolytically degradable hydrogels are a promising delivery method of EVs because rate of delivery can be engineered to suit different clinical needs. This study aims to characterize hydrolytically degradable hydrogels by quantifying rheological data and degradation over time in vitro.