Cross-linkable Polymers for Fabrication of Biodegradable 3D Hydrogel Scaffold, and Process Thereof

The present invention relates a biodegradable 3D composite hydrogel scaffold and a process for preparing the same from a cross-linkable synthetic biodegradable polymer, methacrylated poly multi-carboxylic acid-polyethylene glycol (MA-PMCA-PEG) and a modified natural polymer maleated gelatin (GEL-MEA). The invention deals with development of cross-linkable synthetic and natural polymers through simple and cost-effective methods. A multicarboxylic acid-b-polyethylene glycol (PMCA-PEG), is synthesized by a direct melt polycondensation technique and thereafter methacrylated using glycidyl methacrylate to prepare cross-linkable MA-PMCA-PEG, which is a new biodegradable material with excellent cross-linking properties. The natural polymer gelatin (GEL) is reacted with maleic anhydride (MEA) to get cross-linkable GEL-MEA.