A Bio-synthetic Hybrid Hydrogel Formed under Physiological Conditions Consisting of Mucin and a Synthetic Polymer Carrying Boronic Acid.

Mucin-containing bio-synthetic hybrid hydrogel is successfully formed under physiological conditions upon mixing aqueous solutions of native mucin and synthetic polymers carrying boronic acids. The mechanical properties and stability of the hydrogel in physiological solutions, e.g., cell culture media, are tunable depending on the boronic acid content of polymers. The hydrogel dissolved in the physiological solutions releases native mucin and boronic acid-containing polymer, which can control the adhesion of mammalian cells to the surface.