The gel is formed by stable thioether bonds between maleimide groups of PVA (FAST-PVA) and thiol groups on PEG non cell-degradable crosslinker. Malemide-functionalized PVA is specifically used to decrease the time for gel formation. The PVA polymer does not have cell attachment sites, but it can be customized to conjugate RGD peptide using TrueGel3D RGD peptide (TRUERGD-1EA) prior to the crosslinking step.
Storage: -70C
Application: TRUE5-1KT is preferred over dextran-based gels for long-term culture of cells which producing carbohydrate degrading enzymes. It is used to culture spheroids which proliferate but do not attach to hydrogel. PVA-PEG hydrogel kits are also used to immobilize cells or specimens for imaging.