We establish a versatile
hydrogel platform based on modular
building
blocks that allows the design of hydrogels with tailored physical
architecture and mechanical properties. We demonstrate its versatility
by assembling (i) a fully monolithic gelatin methacryloyl (Gel-MA)
hydrogel, (ii) a hybrid hydrogel composed of 1:1 Gel-MA and gelatin
nanoparticles, and (iii) a fully particulate hydrogel based on methacryloyl-modified
gelatin nanoparticles. The hydrogels were formulated to exhibit the
same solid content and comparable storage modulus but different stiffness
and viscoelastic stress relaxation. The incorporation of particles
resulted in softer hydrogels with enhanced stress relaxation. Murine
osteoblastic cells cultured in two-dimensional (2D) on hydrogels showed
proliferation and metabolic activity comparable to established collagen
hydrogels. Furthermore, the osteoblastic cells showed a trend of increased
cell numbers, cell expansion, and more defined protrusions on stiffer
hydrogels. Hence, modular assembly allows the design of hydrogels
with tailored mechanical properties and the potential to alter cell
behavior.