FIG. 2.

Effective diffusion coefficients of model proteins in hydrogels. Effective diffusion coefficients of fluorescein-labeled model proteins (bovine α-chymotrypsin, bovine serum albumin, and human immunoglobulin G) in 2% (w/v) alginate, 6% (w/v) collagen, and 4% (w/v) PEG-MAL hydrogels. Diffusion coefficients were determined using image analysis of fluorescently labeled biomolecules diffusing through capillary tubes filled with hydrogels, followed by curve fitting to a one-dimensional model of diffusion [Eq. (1)]. (* = p < 0.05 as indicated; n = 3.)