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. Author manuscript; available in PMC: 2017 Jul 1.
Published in final edited form as: Pharmacol Ther. 2016 Apr 8;163:94–108. doi: 10.1016/j.pharmthera.2016.03.013

Table 5B.

Hydrogel subtypes based on their tunable properties:

Types of hydrogels Advantages Disadvantage
Thermo-responsive The swelling properties can be controlled by adjusting temperature High gelling temperature adjustments if too harsh can damage cells
pH-responsive The swelling properties can be controlled by adjusting pH pH adjustments if too harsh can damage cells
Electo-responsive The swelling properties can be controlled by application of mild electric field Hydrogels generally shrink, affecting culture conditions
Magnetic hydrogels The swelling properties can be controlled by subjecting them under magnetic field Overnight pretreatment required to coat cells with the magnetic hydrogel