Yes, the mechanical properties can be easily controlled by choosing the most suitable degree of modification and adjusting the concentration of the precursor solution.

Our products are chemically modified with photoresponsive groups to polymerize when exposed to light. Therefore, a photoinitiator is required to initiate the polymerization process. You may use any photoinitiator of your choice. Photoinitiators already tested to crosslink PLMA:

Irgacure 2959	UV light (365nm)
LAP	Blue light (405nm)
Ruthenium/SPS	Visible light (400-450nm)

We recommend using the LAP photoinitiator in conjunction with the VALO™️ Cordless LED Curing Light. The exposure time to light should be a minimum of 60 seconds, although the precise duration will vary depending on the workload and the type of gel you intend to produce. Alternatively, if you choose not to use the LAP photoinitiator, you can opt for Irgacure 2959 in combination with a UV lamp such as the OmniCure S2000.

After reconstitution, PLMA becomes a liquid solution that does not gelify with temperature, meaning that you can handle it in normal laboratorial conditions without the need of temperature control. The only precaution you should take is to avoid direct light incidence on PLMA precursor solution as it may activate the photoinitiator.

We do not recommend freeze and thaw PLMA precursor solution as it may affect protein stability and alter hydrogel characteristics.

Upon arrival, PLMA lyophilizate can be stored up to 6 months at 4oC without affecting its performance. Once reconstituted, we recommend immediate use. If immediate use is not possible, we suggest storing the precursor solution at 4oC protected from light for no longer than 48 hours.

PLMA hydrogels have been used to culture several cell types, namely:
- Adenocarcinomic human alveolar basal epithelial cells (A549 cell line)
- Adipose Stem Cells (ASC) primary
- Bone marrow stem cells (BMSC)
- Cardiomyocites (Primary and IPSC-derived cardiomyocytes)
- Lung fibroblasts (IMR90 cell line)
- Osteosarcoma cell lines (MG63, Saos2,143B)
- Smooth Muscle cells (primary SMC)
- Urothelial cells (Primary and immortalized (HBlak))

PLMA is mainly composed of soluble proteins and bioactive factors, so it will take only a few minutes to dissolve in any aqueous solutions of photoinitiator. To aid in this process you can gently vortex the suspension.

Please contact us using the form on the website.

You can contact us at the email support@metatissue.com or using the form on the website.