Why use PEGDA?
PEGDA is often used as a “blank slate” hydrogel, meaning it is biologically inert and highly controllable. This makes it ideal for studying cell behaviour without interference from the material itself.
It’s commonly used for:
- 3D cell culture
- Tissue engineering scaffolds
- 3D bioprinting and biofabrication
- Drug delivery and controlled release
- Microfluidics and photolithography
Because PEGDA does not naturally support cell attachment, it can be modified with peptides or other biomolecules depending on the application.
Available PEGDA Hydrogel Options
Smart MCs offers Poly(ethylene glycol) diacrylate (PEGDA) hydrogel in three molecular weight options. Each PEGDA product is supplied as a set with LAP photoinitiator included.
PEGDA-400 Set
Includes:
- 10 g PEGDA-400 hydrogel
- 0.5 g LAP photoinitiator
PEGDA-400 has a molecular weight of approximately 400 Da. It has low viscosity and forms tighter, stiffer hydrogels suitable for coatings, microfluidics, and controlled release systems.
PEGDA-600 Set
Includes:
- 10 g PEGDA-600 hydrogel
- 0.5 g LAP photoinitiator
PEGDA-600 has a molecular weight of approximately 600 Da. It provides a balanced option for general hydrogel systems, cell encapsulation, soft tissue models, and bioprinting applications.
PEGDA-1000 Set
Includes:
- 10 g PEGDA-1000 hydrogel
- 0.5 g LAP photoinitiator
PEGDA-1000 has a molecular weight range of approximately 800–1000 Da. It forms softer, more elastic hydrogels with increased permeability, making it suitable for 3D cell culture and tissue engineering applications.
At room temperature, PEGDA may be liquid or semi-solid depending on molecular weight. Higher molecular weight variants may require gentle warming before use.
Performance
PEGDA is designed for consistent and predictable hydrogel formation.
- Rapid curing under visible light (e.g. ~405 nm)
- Tunable stiffness and permeability depending on formulation
- Suitable for high-resolution fabrication and bioprinting
- Stable hydrogel formation with reproducible results
Detailed characterisation data is available on request.
Custom options
We can modify PEGDA to suit your application, including:
- Functionalisation with cell adhesion peptides
- Composite hydrogel systems (e.g. PEGDA + GelMA)
- Tailored mechanical or transport properties
