Multicomponent hydrogel systems were formed using combinations of three self-assembled peptide based gelators with motifs inspired by fibronectin, collagen, and laminin, respectively. After a systematic study on the how the properties of hydrogels correlate with cell growth and proliferation, it was found that cell growth was significantly impacted by the hydrogels’ resistance to strain which was defined by their crossover point. This indicates that the ability of the gel to efficiently store the work of deformation during cell division is the most important factor for cellular proliferation.
- Eric Y. Du
- Farzaneh Ziaee
- Pall Thordarson
