A composition includes a dual crosslinkable hydrogel that includes a plurality of polymer macromers, which are crosslinked with a first agent and a second agent different than the first agent, wherein the crosslinks formed using the second agent are reversible and repeatable to allow the mechanical properties of the hydrogel to be dynamically adjusted.

The present invention includes a hydrogel and a method of making a porous hydrogel by preparing an aqueous mixture of an uncrosslinked polymer and a crystallizable molecule; casting the mixture into a vessel; allowing the cast mixture to dry to form an amorphous hydrogel film; seeding the cast mixture with a seed crystal of the crystallizable molecule; growing the crystallizable molecule into a crystal structure within the uncrosslinked polymer; crosslinking the polymer around the crystal structure under conditions in which the crystal structure within the crosslinked polymer is maintained; and dissolving the crystals within the crosslinked polymer to form the porous hydrogel.

The present invention includes a hydrogel and a method of making a porous hydrogel by preparing an aqueous mixture of an uncrosslinked polymer and a crystallizable molecule; casting the mixture into a vessel; allowing the cast mixture to dry to form an amorphous hydrogel film; seeding the cast mixture with a seed crystal of the crystallizable molecule; growing the crystallizable molecule into a crystal structure within the uncrosslinked polymer; crosslinking the polymer around the crystal structure under conditions in which the crystal structure within the crosslinked polymer is maintained; and dissolving the crystals within the crosslinked polymer to form the porous hydrogel.

Therapeutic compositions and/or formulations are provided, comprising: at least one cross-linked protein matrix, wherein the at least one cross-linked protein matrix comprises at least one protein residue and at least one saccharide-containing residue, and methods of producing the same. The cross-linked protein matrix may be derived from cross-linking a full length or substantially full length protein, such as tropoelastin, elastin, albumin, collagen, collagen monomers, immunoglobulins, insulin, and/or derivatives or combinations thereof, with a saccharide containing cross-linking agent, such as a polysaccharide cross-linking agent derived from, for example, hyaluronic acid or a cellulose derivative. The therapeutic compositions may be administered topically or by injection. The present disclosure also provides methods, systems, and/or kits for the preparation and/or formulation of the compositions disclosed herein.

Therapeutic compositions and/or formulations are provided, comprising: at least one cross-linked protein matrix, wherein the at least one cross-linked protein matrix comprises at least one protein residue and at least one saccharide-containing residue, and methods of producing the same. The cross-linked protein matrix may be derived from cross-linking a full length or substantially full length protein, such as tropoelastin, elastin, albumin, collagen, collagen monomers, immunoglobulins, insulin, and/or derivatives or combinations thereof, with a saccharide containing cross-linking agent, such as a polysaccharide cross-linking agent derived from, for example, hyaluronic acid or a cellulose derivative. The therapeutic compositions may be administered topically or by injection. The present disclosure also provides methods, systems, and/or kits for the preparation and/or formulation of the compositions disclosed herein.

The present invention relates to a method for the production of a biopolymer, wherein the biopolymer has a defined average molecular weight, the method comprising lyophylizing a composition comprising the biopolymer with native high molecular weight, optionally purifying and/or isolating the biopolymer; wherein the temperature during the sublimation process is selected to facilitate a controlled and defined degradation of said biopolymer.

The present invention relates to a method for the production of a biopolymer, wherein the biopolymer has a defined average molecular weight, the method comprising lyophylizing a composition comprising the biopolymer with native high molecular weight, optionally purifying and/or isolating the biopolymer; wherein the temperature during the sublimation process is selected to facilitate a controlled and defined degradation of said biopolymer.

The invention relates to a bifunctional modified biopolymer based polymer, comprising at least one polymer chain comprising n first functional groups and m second functional groups. The first functional groups comprise groups able of being radically cross-linked following a free radical chain- growth polymerisation. The second functional groups comprise groups able to thiol-ene crosslinking. Preferred bifunctional modified biopolymer based polymers comprise bifunctional modified gelatin and bifunctional modified collagen. The invention further relates to a method to prepare such a bifunctional modified biopolymer based polymer and to a method to prepare a hydrogel starting from such bifunctional modified biopolymer based polymer. Furthermore the invention relates to hydrogels obtainable starting from such bifunctional modified biopolymer based polymers and to the use of such hydrogels.

The invention relates to a bifunctional modified biopolymer based polymer, comprising at least one polymer chain comprising n first functional groups and m second functional groups. The first functional groups comprise groups able of being radically cross-linked following a free radical chain- growth polymerisation. The second functional groups comprise groups able to thiol-ene crosslinking. Preferred bifunctional modified biopolymer based polymers comprise bifunctional modified gelatin and bifunctional modified collagen. The invention further relates to a method to prepare such a bifunctional modified biopolymer based polymer and to a method to prepare a hydrogel starting from such bifunctional modified biopolymer based polymer. Furthermore the invention relates to hydrogels obtainable starting from such bifunctional modified biopolymer based polymers and to the use of such hydrogels.

A collagen-based or gelatin-based formulation that is compliant yet strong and has a high suture-strength value is disclosed. This material is simple to synthesize, behaves like a rubbery material, and is the first type of solely collagen-based compliant material without using elastin. The formulation maintains the strength of collagen, but can be stretched to several times its initial dimension and can be sutured without leaking. The suture retention strength can reach up to 350-grams force. The presently disclosed collagen-based formulation can be used in variety of applications where high strength, compliance, or stretchability is required, such as in urinary tissues, intestinal tissues, heart tissues, and skin.