Tailoring Hydrogel Adhesion to Polydimethylsiloxane Substrates Using Polysaccharide Glue

Abstract

Hydrogel meets silicone: The chemical functionalization of a polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS) surface with polysaccharide “glue” induces a strong, permanent adhesion between the hydrogel and PDMS. This hydrogel-coated silicone substrate was useful for controlling cellular organization under mechanical stretching (see picture) and also in fabricating microfluidic devices filled with the gel.