Tyramine functionalization of poly(glycerol sebacate) increases the elasticity of the polymer.

Poly(glycerol sebacate) (PGS) is an elastomer used widely in tissue engineering studies due to good biocompatibility. Hereby we report a tyramine functionalized PGS called PGS-TA. Tyramine adds a stronger physical bonding capability to PGS-TA.

Mesenchymal stem cells/multipotent stromal cells (MSCs) are glycolytic and thus glucose is a limiting factor of in vitro models of MSC starvation.

Background: Mesenchymal stem/multipotent stromal cells (MSCs) contribute to tissue repair but are challenged during wound healing when the blood supply is disrupted, thereby limiting nutrient delivery. Survival mechanisms against 'starvation' include autophagy, which we previously found to enhance differentiation efficiency. MSC response to models of in vitro nutrient deprivation are of great interest for improving MSC survival and therapeutic efficacy; however, the rate-limiting nutrients are unknown.