Se Jin Lee, “Study of Mechanical Properties of BSA Hydrogel in the Presence of Chemical Denaturant”
Mentor: Ionel Popa, Physics
Poster #51

This study focuses on the development and mechanical analysis of 2mM bovine serum albumin (BSA) protein hydrogels. The primary goal is to synthesize the hydrogels to mimic the properties of natural cartilages due to its complex functionality in load-bearing and joint articulation within the human body. The focus is on producing hydrogels with exceptional elasticity, durability toughness, and fast recovery properties. To achieve this, 2mM BSA hydrogels are synthesized and exposed to the light to photochemically cross-link the tyrosine amino acids within the protein, forming covalent bonds with neighboring tyrosine residues. This step is crucial in forming a stable polymeric network that mimics the resilient natural of cartilage. Subsequently, the BSA protein is chemically denatured by a 30-minute incubation in a 6M guanidine hydrochloride (GuHCl) buffer, resulting in its complete denaturation. Upon full denaturation, the BSA hydrogels exhibit characteristics similar to polymers due to the disruption of intrinsic hydrophobic interaction. The denaturation process, facilitated by the presence of GuHCl, specifically targets theses hydrophobic bond, which are integral to the protein’s tertiary structure. The chemically denatured BSA hydrogels are then subjected to the mechanical testing protocol using a custom-designed rheometer, equipped with force clamp and length clamp protocols. This equipment enables the comprehensive analysis of the viscoelastic behavior and mechanical properties of the hydrogels. Such analysis is critical in determining the potential of BSA hydrogels for biomedical applications, specifically in areas requiring biomaterials that capable of withstanding significant mechanical stress while maintaining a high degree of flexibility and resilience, such as in tissue engineering, joint repair, or as components in load-bearing implants.