Klapperich Lab:Photopolymerization of PHEMA

Overview

This protocol outlines the photopolymerization of PHEMA.

Materials

900 uL HEMA or modified monomer 600 uL Ethylene glycol 25 uL EGDMA (ethylene glycol dimethacrylate), crosslinker 20 mg DMPAP, photoinitiator.

Procedure

1. Step 1

Turn on digital dry bath. Add water to wells you will use. Set temperature to 85°C.

1. 1. Step 2

Add DMPAP to 2 mL centrifuge tube.

1. 1. Step 3

Add HEMA to tube. Be careful to avoid air bubbles when pipetting.

1. 1. Step 4

Add ethylene glycol to tube.

1. 1. Step 5

Add EGMDA to tube.

1. 1. Step 6

Heat mixture in digital bath until crystals are melted. Vortex.

1. 1. Step 7

Add contents of tube to one well of a 6 well plate. Expose to UV light for 2.5 minutes.

Notes

1. Be careful not to overheat DMPAP.

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1. Let gel sit in fume hood for at least 4 hours before hydrating with Millipore water.

('''Jessica Kaufman''')

1. This recipe in this mold yields a swollen gel that is approximately 1 mm thick.

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References

1. Goldbeter A and Koshland DE Jr. An amplified sensitivity arising from covalent modification in biological systems. Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A. 1981 Nov;78(11):6840-4. DOI:10.1073/pnas.78.11.6840 |
2. JACOB F and MONOD J. Genetic regulatory mechanisms in the synthesis of proteins. J Mol Biol. 1961 Jun;3:318-56. DOI:10.1016/s0022-2836(61)80072-7 |
3. ISBN:0879697164

Contact

• Jessica Kaufman
• Nathan Spencer
• Eben Tessari