Acute myocardial infarction is a common cause for the significant reduction in delivery of nutrients and oxygen to cardiomyocytes, and with prolonged nutritional absence subsequently propagates chronic heart failure following cardiomyocyte cell death. Biomaterials research retains particular interest to redress chronic heart failure by emphasizing the regeneration of lost functional cardiac tissue via implantation of cardiac stem cells, specifically cardiosphere-derived stem cells (CDCs). While previous research has attempted to elucidate the capacity of novel thermosensitive polymeric hydrogels to sustain CDC survival in the construct, the physical properties of these gels are not well understood. Thus, this study sought to develop and characterize the physical properties of a thermo- and pH-sensitive hydrogel that would be forwarded towards studying encapsulated CDC survival. This gel was characterized by composition by nuclear magnetic resonance and fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, lower critical solution temperature by differential scanning calorimetry, elastic modulus by uniaxial tensile testing, biodegradability in water, and catheter injectability. A series of pH- and thermal responsive hydrogels were developed by free radical polymerization of n(isopropylacrylamide), propylacrylic acid, 2-hydroxyethyl methacrylate-co-trimethylene carbonate.A three-year embargo was granted for this item.Academic Major: Biolog
