Self-Healing Hydrogel Scaffolds through PET-RAFT Polymerization in Cellular Environment.

Photo electron/energy transfer-reversible addition-fragmentation chain transfer (PET-RAFT) has emerged as a powerful reversible-deactivation radical polymerization technique, enabling oxygen-tolerant polymerizations with exquisite spatiotemporal control through irradiation with visible light. In contrast to traditional free radical photo-polymerization, which often requires the use of DNA-damaging UV irradiation, PET-RAFT offers a more cytocompatible alternative for the preparation of polymeric materials in cell culture environments. Herein, we report the use of PET-RAFT for the fabrication of self-healing hydrogels using commercially available monomers, reaching high monomer conversions and cell encapsulation efficiencies.