4 Key Parameters for Collagen Hydrogels
01/24/23
The following list provides the key parameters required for forming 3D hydrogels from type I collagen. Full directions for use and commonly asked questions are found on individual product pages.
- Concentration
- Typical working concentrations for 3D hydrogels are > 1 mg/ml for Telocollagen, and 1.5 mg/ml for Atelocollagen.
- pH
- Neutralize the collagen to a pH of ~7.0-7.4.
- Osmolarity
- The collagen salts should be isotonic (~300 mOsmo).
- Temperature
- Warm collagen to 37°C after completing the above steps to form a 3D hydrogel. Note: 37C is the optimal temperature for collagen gelation, though collagen can begin fibrillogenesis/gelation at lower temperatures.
First Hydrogel?
If this is your first collagen hydrogel, consider using PureCol® EZ Gel, a 5 mg/ml type I Atelocollagen that has been previously neutralized.
To form a 3D hydrogel, simply incubate at 37C.
PureCol® EZ Gel addresses 3 of the 4 steps above. The concentration (5 mg/ml) is > 1.5 mg/ml. The pH has been neutralized (~7.4). The salts are adjusted to isotonic levels (~300mOsmo).
The only step left is to add your cells, dispense into a dish and incubate at 37C.
