Methods of forming cross-linked polysaccharides are disclosed in which one or more polysaccharides are dissolved in solution, gelled, modified to have a desired concentration, and subsequently irradiated. The irradiation of the gel crosslinks the polysaccharide(s) present. The disclosed techniques may be applied to various polysaccharides, including but not limited to agarose and/or hyaluronic acid.

A method for preparing a multifunctional hydrogel by yeast fermentation is provided. According to the present disclosure, graphene oxide is reduced by polydopamine to obtain a reduced graphene oxide solution first, and then a certain concentration of a gelatin-PCA-glucose mixed solution and an activated yeast liquid are prepared. The three solutions are uniformly mixed and stirred by a one pot reaction method, poured into a mold, and subjected to fermentation in a 30° C. water bath for a certain period of time, so as to obtain a Gel-PrGO-PCA-yeast multifunctional hydrogel material. The method is simple, convenient, rapid, and efficient. The obtained hydrogel has good air permeability, superior mechanical properties, electrical conductivity, and biocompatibility, and can be applied to different skin locations to achieve electrocardiograph and electromyographic detection.

The present invention relates to a process for crosslinking polysaccharides from macroalgae to yield a polymer material in a processing chamber. The process includes the steps of producing a mixture comprising a solid containing polysaccharide from macroalgae and a water-containing liquid, with a ratio of liquid to solid of between 3:1 and 1:9, adjusting a pressure acting on the mixture to at least the vapour pressure of water at a first temperature, the first temperature being greater than/equal to 100° Celsius, and heating the mixture to the first temperature, wherein the solid comprises as polysaccharide at least one of alginate, alginic acid, agar and/or Carrageenan. The invention further relates to a process for producing a biopolymer product from such a polymer material in an apparatus comprising a processing chamber and a shaping apparatus. The invention also relates to a biopolymer product obtained by such a process.

Disclosed are an electrically conductive hydrogel having a graphene network and a method for fabricating the same. The electrically conductive hydrogel is fabricated by thermal annealing of granular hydrogel, and thus it has a porous structure, excellent electrical conductivity, and improved compressive modulus and yield stress. Accordingly, the electrically conductive hydrogel may be advantageously used in biomedical applications, such as scaffolds for tissue engineering, bioelectrodes, and biosensors.

The present invention relates to a dry foam comprising agar-agar characterized by an elasticity modulus from 0.02 to 0.6 MPa, particularly from 0.15 to 0.6 MPa, more particularly from 0.3 to 0.4 MPa, a manufacturing process thereof and the uses thereof in particular as an embolization agent.

Embodiments herein described provide devices for identifying and collecting rare cells or cells which occur at low frequency in the body of a subject, such as, antigen-specific cells or disease-specific cells. More specifically, the devices are useful for trapping immune cells and the devices contain a physiologically-compatible porous polymer scaffold, a plurality of antigens, and an immune cell-recruiting agent, wherein the plurality of antigens and the immune cell recruiting agent attract and trap the immune cell in the device. Also provided are pharmaceutical compositions, kits, and packages containing such devices. Additional embodiments relate to methods for making the devices, compositions, and kits/packages. Further embodiments relate to methods for using the devices, compositions, and/or kits in the diagnosis or therapy of diseases such as autoimmune diseases or cancers.

Embodiments herein described provide devices for identifying and collecting rare cells or cells which occur at low frequency in the body of a subject, such as, antigen-specific cells or disease-specific cells. More specifically, the devices are useful for trapping immune cells and the devices contain a physiologically-compatible porous polymer scaffold, a plurality of antigens, and an immune cell-recruiting agent, wherein the plurality of antigens and the immune cell recruiting agent attract and trap the immune cell in the device. Also provided are pharmaceutical compositions, kits, and packages containing such devices. Additional embodiments relate to methods for making the devices, compositions, and kits/packages. Further embodiments relate to methods for using the devices, compositions, and/or kits in the diagnosis or therapy of diseases such as autoimmune diseases or cancers.

A subtractive method for structuring a hydrogel, comprising the following steps: producing a hydrogel layer containing benzophenone (3) on a substrate (6), the hydrogel not having any photocleavable group; bringing the hydrogel layer into contact with an oxygen tank (4); selectively illuminating the hydrogel layer with a light (5) capable of activating the benzophenone in order to convert the illuminated zone of the hydrogel layer into a liquid; and eliminating the liquid.

Methods and techniques for forming high concentration hydrogels are disclosed herein. The presently disclosed high concentration hydrogels are formed using controlled dehydration and optional rehydration techniques, depending on desired use. The disclosed high concentration hydrogels may include agarose with or without other hydrogels or therapeutic agents, such as hyaluronic acid, present.

Provided are superabsorbent materials composed of agar, and one or more water-soluble natural polysaccharides, and dietary compositions containing such superabsorbent materials. The disclosed superabsorbent materials have various food and therapeutic applications and can be used as loading vehicles for nutrients and therapeutic agents. Also provided are methods for preparing such superabsorbent materials.