Hydrogels and methods for producing and using the same

Abstract

The present invention relates to hydrogels and methods for producing and using the same. In particular, some embodiments of the invention relate to hydrogels and methods for patterning the same.

What is claimed: 
     
         1 . A compound of the formula: 
       
         
           
           
               
               
           
         
         wherein
 a is 0 or 1; 
 b is an integer from 0 to 4; 
 c is an integer from 1 to 2; 
 each R 3  is independently halide, alkyl, heteroalkyl, cycloalkyl, heterocycloalkyl, aryl, and heteroaryl; and 
 R 4  is a connecting group having from about 2 to about 100 atoms; and 
 P is an oligopeptide optionally substituted with one or more polymerizable functional groups. 
 
       
     
     
         2 . A hydrogel composition formed under conditions sufficient to produce a [3+2] cycloaddition reaction between a compound of  claim 1  and a polymer comprising two or more azide functional groups with an oligopeptide comprising at least one covalently bonded polymerizable functional group, wherein said polymerizable functional group comprises an olefinic moiety, an acetylinic moiety, an acrylate moiety, norborene, a methacrylate moiety, or a combination thereof.