abstract |
The present invention relates to a method of producing a supramolecular hydrogel which is formed by the mixing and gelation of at least two dispersions of different types of synthetic hydrogelators, said hydrogelators being formed of synthetic building blocks comprising one or more hydrogen bonding units, wherein each bonding unit comprises a ureido-pyrimidinone subunit and each bonding unit is conjugated with a hydrophilic polymer unit, the method comprising the steps of: a) providing a first dispersion of one type of hydrogelators, b) mixing the first dispersion with a second dispersion of another type of hydrogelators, and c) allowing the dispersions to form the hydrogel, wherein the types of hydrogelators are selected from multifunctional hydrogelators and monofunctional hydrogelators, wherein the steps of the method are conducted under biocompatible conditions, and wherein the hydrophilic polymer unit of the hydrogelators comprised in the first dispersion has a minimal hydrophilicity such that the first dispersion does not form a hydrogel under the biocompatible conditions applied. |