Patent Abstract:
this invention concerns an in situ biodegradable hydrogel drug delivery system in which the components are assembled in a manner that provides a mechanism for the timed cleavage of a particular amide bond in a covalently linked active agent or of the hydrogel structure .

Detailed Description:
elimination reaction causing timed ( controlled ) degradation of hydrogel . incorporation of a compound having a nucleophilic moiety such as glutamic acid ( gm ) or γ - aminobutyric acid in the linker gives rise to the elimination mechanism . the γ - carboxylic group of glu is attached to a cross - linker unit via an amide bond . the α - amino group of the glu is free . in this reaction , the free amino group of glu attacks its own γ - carboxylic group , resulting , in cleavage of the γ amide bond to form a five member cyclic ring . breakage of the amide bond gives the driving force for the degradation of the hydrogel matrix . fig5 and 6 shows the elimination reaction ( basic mechanism causing the timed degradation of hydrogel matrix . elimination reaction causing timed ( controlled ) release of active agents from hydrogel . glutamic acid ( glu ) is the central component in the elimination mechanism . the γ - carboxylic group of glu is attached to an active agent through an amide bond . the α - amino group of glu is free , which attacks its own γ - carboxylic group , resulting in cleavage of the γ - amide bond and formation of a five member cyclic ring . breakage of the amide bond gives the driving force for the release of active agent . fig7 shows the elimination reaction ( basic mechanism ) causing the release of active agents front the hydrogel . general procedure for hydrogel formation . hydrogels are formed in situ by reaction between a multivalent copolymer or peg polymer and cross - linker in aqueous medium . several combinations are possible : ( i ) the peg polymer or copolymer contain thiol groups whereas the crosslinker has thiol - reactive vinylsulfone ; maleimide etc . groups ; or ( ii ) the crosslinker contain thiol groups whereas peg polymer or copolymer contains thiol - reactive vinylsulfone , maleimide etc . groups (“ reverse chemistry ”). the hydrogels disclosed herein can be obtained over a broad concentration range of the polymers or copolymers , and crosslinkers . the concentration ranges of the polymer or copolymer is 1 %- 20 ( w / v ) and that of the crosslinker is 1 %- 15 % ( w / v ). the ratios of the polymer or copolymer to the crosslinker in the hydrogel vary from 0 . 05 : 10 to 10 : 0 . 05 and preferably 2 : 0 . 05 . either single type of polymer / copolymer and crosslinker is used or a combination of different types of unmodified and modified copolymer or polymer and crosslinkers is used . polymers for hydrogel formation . linear or multi - arm peg having 2 or more arms , and preferably peg having 2 to 8 arms containing multiple thiol groups ( more than 1 ) with in a molecular weight range : 1000 - 100 , 000 da . polymers could be unmodified or modified with active agents ( timed - release mechanism , other degradation mechanism , or non - degradable ) prior to hydrogel formation . copolymer containing thiol groups . the invention can be extended to copolymers containing repeating units of thiol groups . for example , copolymer like poly [ poly ( ethylene glycol )- alt - poly ( mercaptosuccinic acid )] 23 in the molecular weight range of 10 , 000 to 100 , 000 da . copolymers could be unmodified or modified with active agents ( timed - release mechanism , other degradation mechanism , or non - degradable ) prior to hydrogel formation . polymer containing peptide thiol groups . the invention can be extended to polymers containing repeating units of peptide thiol groups such as polycysteine in the molecular weight range of 1 , 000 to 100 , 000 da . polymers could be unmodified or modified with active agents ( timed - release mechanism , other degradation mechanism , or non - degradable ) prior to hydrogel formation . the polymer containing terminal thiol groups based on elimination mechanism were obtained by reacting diamino - peg ( preferably 2 - 8 arms , mw ˜ 1 - 20 kda ) with dde - glu -( γcooh )- cys ( stbu )- conh 2 or dde - aa - glu -( γcooh )- cys ( stbu )- conh 2 [ aa is gaba , aha , aoa , gaba - gaba , aha - aha , aoa - aoa , aha - gaba , aoa - gaba , aha - gaba ] from both sides in dmf to obtain ( dde - aa - r 1 - ssibu ) 2 peg . the - stbu protecting group presets in r 1 were removed by treatment with dtt and the dde - groups were removed by hydrazine . cross - linkers for hydrogel formation . crosslinkers containing functional groups like vinyl sulfone and maleimide groups or thiol groups ( for reverse chemistry ) are used for hydrogel formation through thioether bonds . crosslinkers could be linear or branched , contain preferably 2 - 8 functional groups in the molecular weight range of 1 - 20 kda . cross - linkers containing vinylsulfone groups . the cross - linkers containing terminal vinylsulfone ( vs ) functional groups like emxl ( conh 2 - cys ( vs )- glu ( nh 2 )- peg - glu ( nh 2 )- cys ( vs )— conh 2 ), gaba - emxl ( conh 2 - cys ( vs )- glu ( gaba - nh 2 )- peg - glu ( gaba - nh 2 )- cys ( vs -)- conh 2 ) and 1 , 6 - hexane - bis - vinylsulfone ( hbvs ) were used . the crosslinkers based on elimination mechanism were prepared by reacting diamino - peg ( preferably 2 - 8 arms , mw ˜ 1 - 20 kda ) with dde - glu -( γcooh )- cys ( stbu )- conh 2 or dde - aa - glu -( γcooh )- cys ( stbu )- conh 2 [ aa is gaba ( γ - amino butyric acid ); aha ( 6 - aminohexanoic acid ); aoa ( 8 - aminooctanoic acid ); gaba - gaba ; aha - aha ; aoa - aoa ; aha - gaba ; aoa - gaba ; aha - gaba etc .] from both sides in dmf to obtain ( dde - aa - r 1 - sstbtu ) 2 peg . the - stbu protecting groups presets in r 1 were removed with dtt and the two unprotected - sh groups were reacted with hbvs to introduce vs moieties on the two termini . finally the dde - groups were removed by hydrazine ( fig8 - 9 and 10 - 11 ). cross - linkers containing maleimide groups ( ma ). crosslinkers containing terminal maleimide groups like bm [ peo ] 3 ( 1 , 8 - bis - maleimidotriethyleneglycol ) or bm [ peo ] 4 ( 1 , 11 - bis - maleimidotriethyleneglycol ) or bmh ( bis - maleimidohexane ) or bmoe ( bis - baleimidoethane ) can also be used . the maleimide ( ma )- containing crosslinker based on elimination mechanism were obtained by reacting diamino - peg ( preferably 2 - 8 arms , mw ˜ 1 - 20 kda ) with dde - glu -( γcooh )- cys ( stbu )- conh 2 or dde - aa - glu -( γcooh )- cys ( stbu )- conh 2 , [ aa is gaba , aha , aoa , gaba - gaba , aha - aha , aoa - aoa , aoa - gaba , aha - gaba from both sides in dmf to obtain ( dde - aa - r 1 - sstbu ) 2 peg . the - stbu protecting group presets in r 1 were removed with dtt and the two unprotected thiol groups were reacted with bm [ peo ] 3 ( 1 , 8 - bis - maleimidotriethyleneglycol ) or bm [ peo ] 4 ( 1 , 11 - bis - maleimidotriethyleneglycol ) or bmh ( bis - maleimidohexane ) or bmoe ( bis - maleimidoethane ) to incorporate maleimide groups on the two termini . finally , the dde - group was removed by hydrazine . cross - linkers containing thiol groups ( reverse chemistry ). for reverse chemistry , thiol - containing crosslinkers such as dithiothreitol , polycysteines . peg - dithiol or 4 - arm thiol can be used . the crosslinkers containing terminal thiol groups ( remxl ) based on elimination mechanism were obtained by reacting diamino - peg ( preferably 2 - 8 arms , mw ˜ 1 - 20 kda ) with dde - glu -( γcooh )- cys ( stbu )- conh 2 or dde - aa - glu -( γcooh )- cys ( stbu )- conh 2 [ aa is gaba , aha , aoa , gaba - gaba , aha - aha , aoa - aoa , aha - gaba , aoa - gaba , aha - gaba ] from both sides in dmf to obtain ( dde - aa - r 1 - sstbu ) 2 peg . the - stbu protecting group presets in r 1 were removed by treatment with dtt and the dde - groups were removed by hydrazine ( fig1 ). active agents . the active agent preferably comprises an agent selected from the group consisting of anti - inflammatory drugs , nsaid analogs , nsaid - ache ( nsaid - acetylcholinesterase complexes , steroidal anti - inflammatory drugs , anticancer drugs , hiv protease inhibitors , monoclonal antibodies , imaging agents , and combinations thereof . in certain other embodiments , the agent is selected from the group consisting of one or more of the following : indomethacin , sancycline , a sancycline analog , olvanil , an olvanil analog , retro - olvanil , a retro - olvanil analog , olvanil carbamate , budesonide , a budesonide analog , methylprednisolone , a methylprenisolone analog , dexamethasone , a dexamethasone analog , camptothecin , carboplatin , doxorubicin , paclitaxel , saquinavir mesylate , amprenavir , ritonavir , indinavir , nelfinavir mesylate , tipranavir , darunavir , dmi a maytansinoid , atazanavir sulfate , a coloring dye , an fd and c dye , a visible / near infrared fluorescence dye , fluorescein , methylene blue , rhodamine , dansyl , alexa , a cyanine dye . hilyte , indocyanine green , and combinations thereof . more preferably , the agent is doxorubicin . for passive entrapment , the agent may be unmodified or coupled to the peg through degradable bonds ( prodrugs ) like enzyme - sensitive peptide linkers , self - immolative linkers , acid and base - sensitive linkers , ph sensitive linkers , multifunctional organic linking agents , multifunctional inorganic crosslinking agents and / or peptidic backbones represented as : ch 3 co —( x — z — z ) x —( y — z — z ) y — conh 2 , where x ═ lys , glu , asp or diaminobutyric acid ; y = cys , homocysteine or 1 - amino - 2 - methyl - 2 - propanethiol ; z = β - ala , gly , ala , or gaba ( gamma - amino butyric acid ); x and y are interchangeable ; x is between 1 to 4 ; y is between 1 to 4 ; minimum number of z - spacer on the peptide backbone = 2 ; maximum number of z - spacer on the peptide backbone = 4 . in variations , the active agent may further comprise a targeting moiety . the targeting moiety may be a peptide , and preferably such a peptide is an rgd peptide . in certain other embodiments , the targeting group is selected from the group consisting of an rgd peptide , egf peptide , dv3 ( lgaswhrpdkc ) peptide , a lyp peptide ( cgnkrtrgc ), membrane - binding domain of igfbp3 ( qcrpskgrkrgfcw ), fmlf , mannose , transferrin ligand , and monoclonal antibodies . when the drug is doxorubicin , the linker used is any of following : len - gly , glu ( leu - gly ) 2 , arg - gly - asp - cys , gly - arg - gly - asp - ser , gly - arg - gly - asp - ser - pro , cyclic arg - gly - asp - tyr - lys or any peptide with arg - gly - asp . for timed - release of active agents , active agents containing amino groups or active agents modified with amino linker are attached to the γ - carboxyl of glu . the active agents could be unmodified or attached to carriers as described above . in variations , the active agent may contain targeting unit selected from the targeting groups listed above . either for passive entrapment or timed release , single active agent could be used or combinations thereof and the active agent content in the hydrogel formulation may vary from 0 . 1 - 12 % ( w / v ). the general procedure for release of active agents from hydrogels preferably involves the following two processes : passive entrapment and release . in one embodiment , the active agent ( s ) are physically entrapped into the hydrogel by mixing it in the formulation ( polymer / copolymer and crosslinker ) prior to hydrogel formation . the active agent content in the hydrogel formulation may vary from 0 . 1 - 12 % ( wly ) and the formulation may contain one active agent or a combination thereof . the release of the active agent from the hydrogel is not directly dependent on the hydrogel degradation mechanism . alternatively , the active agent can be free from the hydrogel before the hydrogel matrix degrades . therefore , the release of the active agent from the hydrogel is not dependent on the elimination mechanism . timed release of active agents . active agents containing amino groups or modified with a linker containing amino groups are linked to the γ - carboxyl of glu . they are released following the elimination reaction as shown in fig7 . the active agents or modified active agents with a linker could be attached to the polymer / crosslinker and the active agent content may vary from 1 - 10 % ( w / v ). alternatively , the active agent can be free in the hydrogel matrix from the modified linker . therefore , the release of the active agent from the hydrogel is indirectly dependent on the elimination mechanism . the invention is described more fully by way of the following non - limiting examples . all references cited above and hereafter in this document are hereby incorporated by reference in their entirety herein . the cross - linker is the control component in this biodegradable hydrogel . the hydrogel was obtained by irreversibly cross - linking a thiol terminated peg polymer or copolymer such as 8 - arm peg - sb and crosslinkers [( emxl ), gabaemxl , 1 , 6 - hexane - bis - vinylsulfone ( hbvs )] in phosphate buffer ( ph , 7 . 4 ) at room temperature . unless otherwise indicated , the hydrogel formation , release , and degradations studies have been done in triplicate . dde - glu -( γcooh )- cys ( stbu )— conh 2 [ dde - r 1 - sstbu ] was coupled to diamino - peg ( dap , 3350 da ) from both sides in dmf to obtain ( dde - r 1 - sstbu ) 2 peg . the - stbu protecting group presets in r 1 were removed by treatment with dtt and the two unprotected thiol (— sh ) groups were reacted with hbvs to introduce vs moieties on the two termini ( fig8 ), the dap polymer ( 1 eq , catalog # p9906 - 5g , sigma aldrich , st . louis , mo .) was weighed in a 100 ml round bottom flask and dmf ( 10 . 0 ml , catalog # 354830025 , across organics , morris plains , n . j .) was added . diea ( 7 eq , catalog # 387649 - 100 , sigma aldrich , st . louis , mo .) was added into the flask and the mixture was gently stirred ( 1000 rpm ) at room temperature ( 24 ° c .) for 5 min to activate the both amino groups of dap at room temperature . dde - r 1 - sstbu ( 7 eq ) and pybop ( 7 eq , catalog # 01 - 62 - 0016 , novabiochem , san diego , calif .) in dmf ( 10 ml ) were added into reaction mixture . the reaction mixture was stirred at ( 1000 - 1500 rpm ) for 6 - 20 h at room temperature ( 24 ° c .) for ˜ 8 hours . after 8 hours , the stirring , was stopped . the reaction mixture was purified by sephadex lh - 20 using dmf as the eluent . sephadex lh - 20 medium gel filtration media ( catalog # 17 - 0090 - 01 , vwr international , pittsburgh , pa .) was soaked in dmf ( 25 mg / 500 ml , catalog # 354830025 . across organics , morris plains , n . j .) at room temperature ( 25 ° c .) for 24 hours . the presoaked sephadex was loaded on to the column . the reaction mixture ( 10 × 1 . 0 ml ) was loaded onto the column and eluted using dmf ; the collected dmf fractions was poured dropwise into precooled diethyl ether ( 60 ml ) to precipitate the product . the product was dried under argon gas . yield . 88 %, the compound 2 ( 1 eq ,) and dtt ( 11 . 5 eq , catalog # d5545 , sigma aldrich , st . louis , mo .) were weighed in a 100 ml round bottom flask and dmf ( 10 . 0 ml , catalog # 354830025 , across organics , morris plains , n . j .) was added . na 2 co 3 ( 1 eq , catalog . # 144 - 55 - 8 , em industries , hawthorne , n . y .) was added into the reaction mixture . the reaction mixture was gently stirred ( 1000 rpm ) at room temperature ( 24 ° c .) for 24 h . after 24 h , the stirring was stopped and the reaction mixture was poured drop wise into pre - cooled diethyl ether ( 60 ml ) to precipitate the crude product . the crude reaction mixture was used “ as is ” for the next step without purification . yield . 70 %. compound 3 ( 1 eq ) and hbvs ( 40 eq , 1 , 6 - hexane - bis - vinylsulfone catalog # 2234 , pierce , rockford , ill .) were weighed in a 100 ml round bottom flask and dmf ( 10 . 0 ml , catalog # 354830025 , across organics , morris plains , n . j .) was added . diea ( 2 eq , catalog # 387649 - 100 sigma aldrich , st . louis , mo .) was added into the flask and the mixture was gently stirred ( 1000 rpm ) at room temperature ( 24 ° c .) for ˜ 8 hours . after 8 hours , the stirring was stopped . the reaction mixture was purified by sephadex lh - 20 using dmf as eluent . sephadex lh - 20 medium gel filtration media ( catalog # 17 - 0090 - 01 , vwr international , pittsburgh , pa .) was soaked in dmf ( 25 mg / 500 ml , catalog # 354830025 , across organics , morris plains , n . j .) at room temperature ( 25 ° c .) for 24 hours . the presoaked sephadex was loaded on to the glass column . the reaction mixture ( 10 × 1 . 0 ml ) was loaded onto the column and eluted using dmf ; the collected . dmf fractions were poured dropwise into precooled diethyl ether ( 60 ml ) to precipitate the product . the product was dried under argon gas . yield . 81 %. compound 4 ( 0 . 059 g ) was weighed in a 100 ml round bottom flask and hydrazine ( 3 % in dmf , catalog # 303400 - 5g , sigma aldrich , st . louis , mo .) was added into the flask . the reaction mixture was gently stirred ( 1000 rpm ) at room temperature ( 24 ° c .) for ˜ 3 hours . after 3 hours , the stirring was stopped . the reaction mixture was purified by sephadex lh - 20 using dmf as eluent . sephadex lh - 20 medium gel filtration media ( catalog # 17 - 0090 - 01 , vwr international , pittsburgh , pa .) was soaked in dmf ( 25 mg / 500 ml , catalog # 354830025 , across organics , morris plains , n . j .) at room temperature ( 25 ° c .) for 24 hours . the presoaked sephadex was loaded on to the glass column . reaction mixture ( 10 × 1 . 0 ml ) was loaded onto the column and eluted using dmf . the collected dmf fractions were poured dropwise into precooled diethyl ether ( 60 ml ) to precipitate the product . the product was dried under argon gas . yield obtained was 70 %. the product was characterized by maldi - tof mass spectrometry ( ms ) ( fig9 ). the biodegradable crosslinker gaba - emxl ( emxl with γ - amino butyric acid attached to n - terminal of glu ) was prepared using nh 2 — peg - nh 2 ( 3350 da ). dde - gaba - glu -( γcooh )- cys ( stbu )- conh 2 [ r 2 ] [ dde - gaba - r 2 - sstbu ] was coupled with diamino - peg from both sides in dmf to obtain ( dde - gaba - r 2 - sstbu ) 2 peg . the - stbu protecting group presets in r 2 were removed by treatment with dtt and the two unprotected — sh groups were reacted with hbvs to introduce vs moieties on the two termini ( fig1 ), the dap polymer ( 1 eq , catalog # p9906 - 5g . sigma aldrich , st . louis , mo .) was weighed in a 100 ml round bottom flask and dmf ( 10 . 0 ml ; catalog # 354830025 . across organics , morris plains , n . j .) was added . diea ( 7 eq ; catalog # 387649 - 100 ml , sigma aldrich , st . louis , mo .) was added into the flask and the mixture was gently stirred ( 1000 rpm ) at room temperature ( 24 ° c .) for 5 min to activate the both amino groups of dap at room temperature . dde - gaba - r 2 - sstbu ( 7 eq ) and pybop ( 7 eq , catalog # 01 - 62 - 0016 novabiochem , san diego , calif .) in dmf ( 10 ml ;) were added into reaction mixture . the reaction mixture was stirred at ( 1000 - 1500 rpm ) for 6 - 20 h at room temperature ( 24 ° c .) for ˜ 8 hours . after 8 hours , the stirring was stopped . the reaction mixture was purified by sephadex lh - 20 using dmf as eluent . sephadex lh - 20 medium gel filtration media ( catalog # 17 - 0090 - 01 , vwr international , pittsburgh , pa .) was soaked in dmf ( 25 mg / 500 ml , catalog # 354830025 , across organics , morris plains , n . j .) at room temperature ( 25 ° c .) for 24 hours . the presoaked sephadex was loaded en to the glass column . the reaction mixture ( 10 × 1 . 0 ml ) was loaded onto the column and eluted using dmf . the collected dmf fractions were poured dropwise into pre - cooled diethyl ether ( 60 ml ) to precipitate the product . the product was dried under argon gas . yield , 88 %. the compound 7 ( 1 eq ) and dtt ( 11 . 5 eq , catalog # d5545 , sigma aldrich , st . louis , mo . 63178 , usa ) were weighed in a 100 ml round bottom flask and dmf ( 10 . 0 ml , catalog # 354830025 . across organics , morris plains , n . j .) was added , na a co 3 ( 1 eq , catalog # 144 - 55 - 8 , em industries , hawthorne , ny ) was added into the reaction mixture . the reaction mixture was gently stirred at ( 0 . 1000 rpm ) at room temperature ( 24 ° c .) for 24 h . after 24 h , the stirring was stopped and the reaction mixture was poured drop wise into pre - cooled diethyl ether ( 60 ml ) to precipitate the crude product . the crude reaction mixture was used “ as is ” for the next step without purification . yield , 70 %. compound 8 ( 1 eq ) and vs - peg ( 266 )- vs ( hbvs , 40 eq , catalog # 22334 , pierce , rockford , ill .) were weighed in a 100 ml round bottom flask and dmf ( 10 . 0 ml , catalog # 354830025 , across organics , morris plains , n . j .) was added . diea ( 2 eq , catalog # 387649 - 100 ml , sigma aldrich , st , louis , mo .) was added into the flask and the mixture was gently stirred ( 1000 rpm ) at room temperature ( 24 ° c .) for ˜ 8 hours . after 8 hours , the stirring was stopped . the reaction mixture was purified by sephadex li - 1 - 20 using dmf as eluent . sephadex lh - 20 medium gel filtration media ( catalog # 17 - 0090 - 01 , vwr international , pittsburgh , pa .) was soaked in dmf ( 25 mg / 500 ml , catalog # 354830025 , across organics , morris plains , n . j .) at room temperature ( 25 ° c .) for 24 hours . the presoaked sephadex was loaded on to the glass column . the reaction mixture ( 10 × 1 . 0 ml ) was loaded onto the column and eluted using dmf . the collected dmf fractions were poured dropwise into pre - cooled diethyl ether ( 60 ml ) to precipitate the product . the product was dried under argon gas . yield . 81 %, compound 9 ( 0 . 059 g ) was weighed in a 100 ml round bottom flask and hydrazine ( 3 % in dmf ; catalog # 303400 - 5g , sigma aldrich , st . louis , mo .) was added into the flask . the reaction mixture was gently stirred at ( 1000 rpm ) at room temperature ( 24 ° c .) for ˜ 3 hours . after 3 hours , the stirring was stopped . the reaction mixture was purified by sephadex lh - 20 using dmf as eluent . sephadex lh - 20 medium gel filtration media ( catalog # 17 - 0090 - 01 , vwr international , pittsburgh , pa .) was soaked in dmf ( 25 mg / 500 ml , catalog # 354830025 , organics , morris plains , n . j .) at room temperature ( 25 ° c .) for 24 hours . the presoaked sephadex was loaded on to the glass column and the reaction mixture ( 10 × 1 . 0 ml ) was loaded onto the column and eluted using dmf . the collected dmf fractions were poured dropwise into pre - cooled diethyl ether ( 60 ml ) to precipitate the product . the product was dried under argon gas . yield , 70 %. the product was characterized by maldi - tof - ms ( fig1 ). the biodegradable crosslinker remxl ( containing thiol terminal ) was prepared using nh 2 - peg - nh 2 ( dap , mw ˜ 3350 da ), dde - glu -( γcooh )- cys ( stbu )- conh 2 [ r 1 ] [ dde - gaba - r 1 - sstbu ] was coupled with diamino - peg from both sides in dmf to obtain ( dde - r 1 - sstbu ) 2 peg . the - stbu protecting group presets in r 1 were removed by treatment with dtt to introduce sh moieties on the two termini ( fig1 ). steps 1 and 2 in this example follow the same procedure as set forth above in example 1 compound 3 ( 0 . 059 g ) was weighed in a 100 ml round bottom flask and hydrazine ( 3 % in dmf , catalog # 303400 - 5g , sigma aldrich , st . louis , mo .) was added into the flask . the reaction mixture was gently stirred 1000 rpm ) at room temperature ( 24 ° c .) for ˜ 3 hours . after 3 hours , the stirring was stopped , the reaction mixture was purified by sephadex lh - 20 using dmf as eluent . sephadex lh - 20 medium gel filtration media ( catalog # 17 - 0090 - 01 , vwr international , pittsburgh , pa .) was soaked in dmf ( 25 mg / 500 ml . catalog # 354830025 , across organics , morris plains , nj ) at room temperature ( 25 ° c .) for 24 hours . the presoaked sephadex was loaded on to the glass column and reaction mixture ( 10 × 1 . 0 ml ) was loaded onto the column and eluted using dmf . the collected dmf fractions were poured dropwise into pre - cooled diethyl ether ( 60 ml ) to precipitate the product . the product was dried under argon gas . yield . 70 %. sodium phosphate dibasic ( 1 m , catalog # s - 9763 , sigma aldrich , st . louis , mo .) and monobasic ( 1 m , catalog # s - 0751 , sigma aldrich , st , louis , mo .) solutions were prepared separately in volumetric flasks 1 . 54 ml of sodium phosphate dibasic and 0 . 46 ml of sodium phosphate monobasic solutions were transferred to a beaker and 80 . 0 ml of di water was added to it . the ph of buffer was measured on a ph meter and ph value was adjusted to 7 . 44 using 0 . 1n sodium hydroxide solution ( catalog # ss276 - 4 , fisher scientific , suwanee , ga .). the solution was transferred to a volumetric flask and more di water was added to adjust the final volume to 100 ml . unless otherwise indicated , all reference to di refers to deionized water . likewise , unless otherwise indicated , all reference to pb in example 3b refers to 0 . 02 m phosphate buffer , ph , 7 . 44 , copolymer ( 4 % w / v ) was weighed in a centrifuge tube and dissolved in pb ( 132 . 8 μl ). an emxl crosslinker solution was prepared by weighing 4 . 8 mg of emxl crosslinker in a centrifuge tube . pb ( 67 . 2 μl ) was added to the centrifuge tube and the mixture vortexed for 2 - 3 minutes to dissolve the crosslinker into the buffer solution . the copolymer solution ( 132 . 8 μl ) was transferred to a glass vial ( 12 × 32 mm , sepcap clear vial , catalog # c4011 - 80 . national scientific company , rockwood , tenn .) followed by the crosslinker solution ( 67 . 2 μl ). the solution mixture was allowed to stand at room temperature ( 24 ° c .). the hydrogel solution started becoming more viscous and formed the hydrogel in 1 min . the procedure for the preparation of phosphate buffer as set forth in example 4 was used . copolymer ( 4 % w / v ) as weighed in a centrifuge tube and dissolved in p13 ( 132 . 8 μl ). the gaba - emxl crosslinker solution was prepared by weighing 5 . 4 mg of gaba - emxl crosslinker in a centrifuge tube . pb ( 67 . 2 μl ) was added to the centrifuge tube and the mixture vortexed for 2 - 3 minutes to dissolve the crosslinker into the buffer solution . the copolymer solution ( 132 . 8 μl ) was transferred to a glass vial ( 1 . 2 × 32 mm , sepcap clear vial , catalog # c4011 - 80 , national scientific company , rockwood , tenn .) followed by the crosslinker solution ( 67 . 2 μl ). the solution mixture was allowed to stand at room temperature ( 24 ° c .). the hydrogel solution started becoming more viscous and formed hydrogel in 1 min , 20 sec , non - degradable hydrogel preparation using peg - thiol polymer and vinyl sulfone ( vs )- containing intgabaemxl crosslinker the phosphate buffer was prepared as set forth above in example 4 . 8 - arm peg thiol polymer ( i . e ., — sh side chain groups . 4 % w / v ) was weighed in a centrifuge tube and dissolved in pb ( 132 . 8 dde protected intgabaemxl ( compound 9 ) crosslinker ( i . e . vs groups ) was prepared by weighing 4 . 8 mg of gaba - emxl crosslinker in a centrifuge tube . pb ( 67 . 2 was added to the centrifuge tube and the mixture vortexed for 2 - 3 minutes to dissolve the crosslinker into the buffer solution , the polymer solution ( 132 . 8 μl ) was transferred to a glass vial ( 12 × 32 mm , sepcap clear vial , catalog # c4011 - 80 , national scientific company . rockwood , tenn .) followed by the crosslinker solution ( 67 . 2 μl ). the solution mixture was allowed to stand at room temperature ( 24 ′ c ). the hydrogel solution started becoming more viscous and formed a hydrogel in 1 min . non - degradable hydrogel preparation using peg - thiol polymer and vinyl sulfone ( vs )- containing intemxl crosslinkers the phosphate buffer was prepared as set forth above in example 4 . 8 - arm peg thiol polymer ( i . e ., — sh side chain groups , 4 % w / v ) was weighed in a centrifuge tube and dissolved in pb ( 132 . 8 μl ). dde protected crosslinker intemxl ( compound 4 , i . e ., vs groups ) was prepared by weighing 4 . 8 mg of gaba - emxl crosslinker in a centrifuge tube . pb ( 67 . 2 μl ) was added to the centrifuge tube and the mixture was vortexed for 2 - 3 minutes to dissolve the crosslinker into the buffer solution . the polymer solution ( 132 . 8 μl ) was transferred to a glass vial ( 12 × 32 mm , sepcap clear vial , catalog # c4011 - 80 , national scientific company , rockwood , tenn .) followed by the crosslinker solution ( 67 . 2 μl ). the solution mixture was allowed to stand at room temperature ( 24 ′ c .). the hydrogel solution started becoming more viscous and formed hydrogel in 1 min . the procedure for the preparation of phosphate butter was prepared as set forth above in example 4 . the copolymer ( 4 % w / v ) was weighed in a centrifuge tube and dissolved in pb ( 132 . 8 μl ) hbvs crosslinker solution was prepared by weighing 0 . 63 mg of hbvs crosslinker in a centrifuge tube . pb ( 67 . 2 μl ) was added to the centrifuge tube and the mixture vortexed for 2 - 3 minutes to dissolve the crosslinker into the buffer solution . the copolymer solution ( 132 . 8 μl ) was transferred to a glass vial ( 1 . 2 × 32 mm , sepcap clear vial , catalog # c4011 - 80 , national scientific company , rockwood , tenn .) followed by the crosslinker solution ( 67 . 2 μl ). the solution mixture was allowed to stand at room temperature ( 24 ° c .). the hydrogel solution started becoming more viscous and formed hydrogel in 1 min . the procedure for the preparation of phosphate buffer was prepared as set forth above in example 4 . 8 - arm peg thiol polymer ( i . e ., sh termini , 4 % w / v ) was weighed in a centrifuge tube and dissolved in pb ( 132 . 8 μl ). hbvs crosslinker solution was prepared by weighing 0 . 63 mg of hbvs crosslinker in a centrifuge tube . pb ( 67 . 2 μl ) was added to the centrifuge tube and the mixture was vortexed for 2 - 3 minutes to dissolve the crosslinker into the buffer solution . the polymer solution ( 132 . 8 μl ) was transferred to a glass vial ( 12 × 32 mm , sepcap clear vial , catalog # c4011 - 80 , national . scientific company , rockwood , tenn .) followed by the crosslinker solution ( 67 . 2 μl ). the solution mixture was allowed to stand at room temperature ( 24 ° c .). the hydrogel solution started becoming more viscous and formed hydrogel in 15 min . non - degradable hydrogel preparation using peg - thiol polymer and maleimide - containing bm [ peo ] 3 crosslinker the procedure for the preparation of phosphate buffer ( 0 . 02 m ) was prepared as set forth above in example 4 . 8 - arm peg thiol polymer ( i . e ., sh termini , 4 % w / v ) was weighed in a centrifuge tube and dissolved in pb ( 132 . 8 μl ). bm [ peo ] 3 crosslinker ( i . e ., maleimide groups ) solution was prepared by weighing 0 . 5 mg of bm [ peo ] 3 crosslinker in a centrifuge tube . pb ( 67 . 2 μl ) was added to the centrifuge tube and the mixture was vortexed for 2 - 3 minutes to dissolve the crosslinker into the buffer solution . the polymer solution ( 132 . 8 μl ) was transferred to a glass vial ( 12 × 32 mm , sepcap clear vial , catalog # c4011 - 80 , national scientific company , rockwood , tenn .) followed by the crosslinker solution ( 67 . 2 μl ). the solution mixture was allowed to stand at room temperature ( 24 ° c .). the hydrogel solution started becoming more viscous and formed the hydrogel in 1 min . non - degradable hydrogel preparation using peg - thiol polymer and peg maleimide ( 5 kda ) crosslinker the procedure for the preparation of phosphate buffer was prepared as set forth above in example 4 . 8 - arm peg thiol polymer ( i . e . sh termini , 4 % w / v ) was weighed in a centrifuge tube and dissolved in pb ( 132 . 8 μl ). 5k peg - maleimide crosslinker ( i . e . maleimide groups ) solution was prepared by weighing 0 . 5 mg of peg - maleimide crosslinker in a centrifuge tube . pb ( 67 . 2 μl ) was added to the centrifuge tube and the mixture was vortexed for 2 - 3 minutes to dissolve the crosslinker into the buffer solution , the polymer solution ( 132 . 8 μl ) was transferred to a glass vial ( 12 × 32 mm , sepcap clear vial , catalog # c4011 - 80 , national scientific company , rockwood , tenn .) followed by the crosslinker solution ( 67 . 2 μl . the solution mixture was allowed to stand at room temperature ( 24 ° c .). the hydrogel solution started becoming more viscous and formed hydrogel in 1 min . biodegradable hydrogel preparation using thiol - containing copolymer and emxl crosslinker with passively entrapped fitc - dextran ( 20 kda ) the procedure for the preparation of phosphate buffer was prepared as set above in example 4 . copolymer ( 4 % w / v ) was weighed in a centrifuge tube and dissolved in pb ( 132 . 8 μl ). emxl crosslinker solution was prepared by weighing 4 . 8 mg of emxl crosslinker in a centrifuge tube , pb ( 67 . 2 μl ) was added to the centrifuge tube and the mixture was vortexed for 2 - 3 minutes to dissolve the crosslinker into the buffer solution . the fitc - dextran ( 20 kda , 2 mg , catalog # fd20 , sigma aldrich , st , louis , mo .) was added to this solution and vortexed (& lt ; 1 minutes ) to make a clear solution the copolymer solution ( 132 . 8 μl ) was transferred to a glass vial ( 12 × 32 mm , sepcap clear vial , catalog # c4011 - 80 , national scientific company , rockwood , tenn .) followed by the crosslinker solution ( 67 . 2 μl ). the solution mixture was allowed to stand at room temperature ( 24 ° c .). the hydrogel solution started becoming more viscous and formed hydrogel in 1 min , biodegradable hydrogel preparation using thiol - containing copolymer and emxl crosslinker with passively entrapped peg ( 5 kda )- leu - gly - dox the procedure for the preparation of phosphate buffer was prepared as set forth above in example 4 , copolymer ( 4 % w / v )) was weighed in a centrifuge tube and dissolved in pb ( 132 . 8 μl ). emxl crosslinker solution was prepared by weighing 4 . 8 mg of emxl crosslinker in a centrifuge tube . pb ( 67 . 2 μl ) was added to the centrifuge tube and the mixture was vortexed for 2 - 3 minutes to dissolve the crosslinker into the buffer solution . the peg ( 5 kda )- len - gly - dox ( 2 mg ) was added to this solution and vortexed (& lt ; 1 minutes ) to make a clear solution . the copolymer solution ( 132 . 8 μl ) was transferred to a glass vial ( 12 × 32 mm , sepcap clear vial , catalog # c4011 - 80 , national scientific company . rockwood , tenn .) followed by the crosslinker solution ( 67 . 2 μl ). the solution mixture was allowed to stand at room temperature ( 24 ° c .). the hydrogel solution started becoming more viscous and formed hydrogel in 1 min . in vitro release of passively entrapped fitc - dextran ( model drug ) in pbs from biodegradable hydrogels prepared using copolymer and emxl crosslinker sodium chloride ( 8 gm , catalog # sx0420 - 3 , em sciences , gibbstown , n . j . ), potassium chloride ( 0 . 2 gm , catalog # bp360 - 1 , fisher scientific , fair lawn , n . j . ), sodium phosphate dibasic ( 1 . 44 gm , catalog # s - 9763 , sigma aldrich , st . louis , mo .) and potassium phosphate monobasic ( 0 . 24 gm catalog # p285 , fisher scientific , fair lawn , n . j .) were transferred to a volumetric flask ( 1 liter ), 800 ml of di water was added to it . the ph of buffer was adjusted to 7 . 44 using 1n sodium hydroxide solution ( catalog # ss276 - 4 , fisher scientific , fair lawn , n . j .) or 1n hydrochloric acid solution ( catalog # 920 - 1 , sigma aldrich , st . louis , mo .). the solution was transferred to a volumetric flask and more di water was added to adjust the final volume to 1000 ml . release of fitc - dextran from emxl hydrogel depots was studied at 37 ° c . in pbs . fitc - dextran was loaded into the hydrogels by mixing , it with an aqueous solution of copolymer and crosslinker . the release of physically entrapped fitc - dextran from hydrogel depot was studied and analyzed by florescence . water - soluble degradable fitc - dextran ( 20 kda , 2 mg , catalog # fd20 , sigma aldrich , st , louis , mo .) loaded hydrogels were prepared ( 200 μl ) using 4 % w / v copolymer and emxl crosslinker . after equilibration , the hydrogels were transferred to flat bottom vials ( 12 × 32 mm , sepcap clear vial , catalog # c4011 - 80 , national scientific company , rockwood , tenn .) and completely submerged in 500 μl pbs . aliquots 500 pt were withdrawn at regular time intervals and replenished with equal amounts of fresh pbs . the concentration of fitc - dextran in release samples was determined using a plate reader with an excitation wavelength of 490 nm and emission wavelength of 510 nm . the release profile suggested a typical diffusion - controlled release of a fitc - dextran from the hydrogel 99 % fitc - dextran was released in 29 . 5 h . in vitro release of passively entrapped fitc - dextran ( model drug ) in pbs from biodegradable hydrogels prepared using copolymer and gaba - emxl crosslinker the procedure for the preparation of pbs is set forth above in example 14 . release of fitc - dextran from gaba - emxl hydrogel depots was studied at 37 ° c . in pbs according to the procedure set forth above in example 14 . the release profile suggested a typical diffusion - controlled release of a fitc - dextran from the hydrogel , as observed in example 14 . fitc - dextran ( 99 %) was released in 17 . 5 h . in vitro release of passively entrapped fitc - dextran ( model drug ) in mouse plasma from biodegradable hydrogels prepared using copolymer and emxl crosslinker release of fitc - dextran from the hydrogel depots was studied at 37 ° c . in mouse plasma . fitc - dextran was loaded into the hydrogels by mixing it with an aqueous solution of copolymer and cross - linker as described above according to the procedure in example 15 and 16 . the release of physically trapped fitc - dextran ( 20 kda ) from the hydrogel depot was studied and analyzed by florescence , water - soluble degradable fitc - dextran ( 20 kda , 2 mg , catalog fd20 , sigma aldrich , st . louis , mo .) loaded hydrogels were prepared ( 200 μl ) using copolymer ( 4 % w / v ) and emxl crosslinkers . after equilibration , the hydrogels were transferred to flat bottom vials ( 12 × 32 mm , sepcap clear vial , catalog # c4011 - 80 , national scientific company , rockwood , tenn .) and completely submerged in 500 μl mouse plasma . aliquots 500 μl ( mouse plasma ) were withdrawn at regular time intervals and replenished with same amounts of fresh mouse plasma . the concentration of fitc - dextran in release samples was determined using a plate reader with an excitation wavelength of 490 nm and emission wavelength of 510 nm . the release profile suggests a typical diffusion - controlled release of a fitc - dextran from the hydrogel ; 99 % of fitc - dextran was released by 47 h . in vitro release of passively entrapped fitc - dextran ( model drug ) in mouse plasma front biodegradable hydrogel prepared using copolymer and gaba - emxl crosslinker release of fitc - dextran from hydrogel depots was studied at 37 ° c . as described in example 16 . fitc - dextran was loaded into the hydrogels by mixing it with an aqueous solution of copolymer ( 4 %, w / v ) and gaba - emxl crosslinker . the release studies were carried by following the procedure described above as set forth in example 16 . the release profile suggested a typical diffusion - controlled release of a fitc - dextran and about 98 % of the compound was released in 72 h . in vitro degradation studies in pbs of biodegradable hydrogels prepared using copolymer and emxl crosslinker the procedure for the preparation of pbs was used as set forth above in example 14 . hydrogel ( 200 μl ) were prepared using copolymer ( 4 % w / v ) and emxl crosslinker . after the equilibration , the hydrogels were transferred to flat bottom vials ( 12 × 32 mm , sepcap clear vial , catalog # c4011 - 80 , national scientific company , rockwood , tenn .). hydrogels were exposed to pbs ( 500 μl ) and incubated at 37 ° c . aliquots ( 500 μl ) were taken at regular time intervals and replaced with fresh pbs . hydrogel degradation occurs because the free amino group of glu ( emxl cross - linker ) attacks the γ - carboxylic group of the same molecule and as a result the two γ - amide bonds between the glu and peg break , releasing the dap in solution ( fig6 ). since dap is a non - fluorescent molecule ; a fluorescamine assay 24 was performed to measure the hydrogel degradation by measuring the amine present in solution . hydrogels were found to biodegrade in 29 . 5 h at 37 ° c . in vitro degradation studies in pbs of biodegradable hydrogels prepared using copolymer and gaba - emxl crosslinker the procedure for the preparation of pbs was used as set forth above in example 14 . hydrogel ( 200 μl ) were prepared using copolymer ( 4 %, w / v ) and gaba - emxl crosslinker . the degradation studies were carried out according to the procedure described above in example 18 . hydrogel degradation occurs because the free amino group of gaba ( gaba - emxl cross - linker ) attacks the γ - carboxylic group of the same molecule and as a result the two γ - amide bonds between the glu and peg break , releasing the dap in solution ( fig6 ). the fluorescamine assay 24 used to measure dap in solution showed that these hydrogels biodegrade ( 100 %) in 10 h at 37 ° c . released in vitro degradation studies in mouse plasma of biodegradable hydrogels prepared using copolymer and emxl crosslinker hydrogels ( 200 μl ) were prepared using copolymer ( 4 %, w / v ) and emxl crosslinker . after the equilibration , the hydrogels were transferred to flat bottom vials ( 12 × 32 mm , sepcap clear vial , catalog # c4011 - 80 , national scientific company , rockwood , tenn .) and exposed to mouse plasma ( 500 μl , ph = 7 . 4 ). samples were incubated at 37 ° c . and aliquots ( 500 μl ) were taken at regular time intervals and replaced with same amount of mouse plasma . the fluorescamine assay 24 was used to measure the free amine present in solution and it was estimated that hydrogels biodegrade in 360 h at 37 ° c . in vitro degradation studies in mouse plasma of biodegradable hydrogels prepared using copolymer and gaba - emxl crosslinker hydrogels ( 200 μl ) were prepared using copolymer ( 4 %, w / v ) and gaba - emxl crosslinker . the biodegradation studies were carried out according to the procedure set forth above in example 20 . fluorescamine assay 23 for free amine ( dap ) showed that hydrogels biodegrade at 37 ° c . in 119 h . biodegradation studies in pbs using swelling ratios for hydrogels prepared using copolymer and emxl crosslinker the procedure for the preparation of pbs was used as set forth above in example 14 . the hydrogels ( 200 μl ) were prepared using copolymer ( 4 %, w / v ) and emxl crosslinker and transferred to flat bottom vials ( 12 × 32 mm , sepcap clear vial , catalog # c4011 - 80 , national scientific company , rockwood , tenn . ), pbs ( 500 μl ) solution was applied on the hydrogels and hydrogels were incubated , at 37 ° c . the swollen hydrogels were weighed at regular time intervals after removal of the buffer . after each measurement the buffer was replenished . the hydrogel displayed gradual swelling at initial tnne , unttl they rapidly dissolved ( fig1 ). the hydrogels swelled in 8 - 10 h and biodegraded at 37 ° c . in 29 . 5 h . biodegradation studies in pbs using swelling ratios for hydrogels prepared using copolymer and gaba - emxl crosslinker the procedure for the preparation of pbs was used as set forth above in example 14 . the hydrogels ( 200 μl ) were prepared using copolymer ( 4 %, w / v ) and gaba - emxl crosslinker . the swelling , studies were carded out according to the procedures set forth above in example 22 . hydrogels swelled in 6 - 7 h and degraded in 10 h at 37 ° c . ( fig1 ). biodegradation studies in mouse plasma using swelling ratios for hydrogels prepared using copolymer and emxl crosslinker hydrogels ( 200 μl ) prepared using copolymer ( 4 %, w / v ) and emxl crosslinker were transferred to flat bottom vials ( 12 × 32 mm , sepcap clear vial , catalog # c4011 - 80 , national scientific . company , rockwood , tenn .). mouse plasma ( 500 μl ) was applied and the hydrogels were incubated at 37 ° c . the swollen hydrogels were weighed at regular time intervals after removal of the mouse plasma . after each weighing the mouse plasma was replenished . the hydrogel displayed gradual swelling at initial time until they rapidly dissolved ( fig1 ). emxl hydrogel swelled in 4 - 10 h and degraded in 360 h at 37 ° c . biodegradation studies in mouse plasma using swelling ratios for hydrogels prepared using copolymer and gaba - emxl crosslinker hydrogels ( 200 μl ) prepared using copolymer ( 4 % w / v ) and gaba - emxl crosslinker were transferred to flat bottom vials and swelling studies were carried out according to the procedure set forth above in example 24 . hydrogels swelled in 2 - 4 h and degraded in 119 h at 37 ° c . in mouse plasma ( fig1 ). fmoc - glu -( γcootbu )- cooh was coupled to amino - peg ( 20 kda ) in dmf to obtain frnoc - glu -( γcootbu )- conhpeg . the free — cooh group was reacted with h - lys ( z )- ome to obtained peg - glu ( nh 2 )( γ )- lys ( z ) ome conjugates fig1 ) the fmoc - glu -( γcootbtu )- cooh ( 7 eq , catalog # 04 - 12 - 1020 , novabiochem , san diego , calif ., usa ), peg - nh 2 ( 20 kda , 7 eq , catalog # sunbright gl2 - 200pa , nof corporation , white plains , n . y . ), and pybop ( 7 eq , catalog # 01 - 62 - 0016 , novabiochem , san diego , calif ., usa ) were weighed in a 100 ml round bottom flask and dcm ( 10 . 0 ml , catalog d150 - 4 , fisher scientific suwanee , ga ., usa ) was added . diea ( 0 . 0118 ml , 4 eq . catalog # 387649 - 1 . 00 ml , sigma aldrich , st . louis , mo . 63178 , usa ) was added into the flask and the mixture was gently stirred at ( 1000 rpm ) at room temperature ( 24 ° c .) for ˜ 8 hours . after 8 hours , the stirring was stopped . the reaction mixture was purified by sephadex g - 50 using water as the eluent sephadex g - 50 medium gel filtration media ( catalog # 17 . 0043 - 01 , vwr international , pittsburgh , pa .) was soaked in di water ( 25 mg / 500 ml ) at room temperature ( 25 ° c .) for 24 hours . the presoaked sephadex was loaded on to the column . reaction mixture ( 10 × 1 . 0 ml ) was loaded onto the column and eluted using di water . the collected fractions were lyophilized for 3 - days . yield . 80 %. the compound 13 ( 0 . 5 gm , 1 eq ) was weighed in a 100 ml round bottom flask . 20 % tfa ( catalog # 61030 / 91709 - 1ea , sigma aldrich , st . louis , mo .) in dcm ( 10 . 0 ml ) was added into the flask and the mixture was gently stirred at ( 1000 rpm ) at room temperature ( 24 ° c .) for ˜ 1 hours . after 1 hour , the stirring was stopped . the purification procedure was used as mentioned in step 1 of this example yield . 83 %. the compound 14 ( 0 . 120 g , 1 eq ), z - lys - ome ( 0 . 0195 g , 1 eq , catalog # 01 - 12 - 0607 , novabiochem , san diego , calif ., usa ) and pybop ( 7 eq , catalog # 01 - 62 - 0016 , novabiochem , san diego , calif ., usa ) were weighed in a 100 ml round bottom flask and dcm ( 10 . 0 ml , 10 . 0 ml , catalog # d150 - 4 , fisher scientific , suwanee , ga ., usa ) was added . dma ( 0 . 001088 ml , 1 . 4 eq , catalog # 387649 - 100 , sigma aldrich , st . louis , mo 63178 , usa ) was added into the flask and the mixture was gently stirred ( 1000 rpm ) at room temperature ( 24 ° c .) for ˜ 8 hours . after 8 hours , the stirring was stopped . the purification procedure for the preparation was used as mentioned in step 1 of this example . yield , 72 %, the compound 15 ( 0 . 200 g , 1 eq ), was weighed in a 100 ml round bottom flask . piperidine ( 10 %, catalog # 104094 sigma aldrich , st . louis , mo .) in dcm ( 10 . 0 ml , catalog # d150 - 4 , fisher scientific , suwanee , ga ., usa ) was added into the flask and the mixture was gently stirred at ( 1000 rpm ) at room temperature ( 24 ° c .) for ˜ 0 . 5 hours . after 0 . 5 hours , the stirring as stopped . the purification procedure was used as mentioned in step 1 of this example . yield . 70 %. fmoc - glu -( γcootbu )- cooh was coupled to amino - peg ( 20 kda ) in dmf to obtain fmoc - glu -( γcootbu )- conhpeg . the free — cooh group was reacted with z - lys - ome to obtained peg - glu ( nh 2 )( γ )-( 7 ) lys - ome conjugate ( fig1 ), the compound 14 ( 0 . 120 g , 1 eq ), h - lys ( z )- ome ( 0 . 0279 g , 4 eq , catalog # 04 - 12 - 5024 , novabiochem , san diego , calif ., usa ), and pybop ( 0 . 0439 g , 4 eq catalog # 01 - 62 - 0016 , novabiochem , san diego , calif ., usa ) were weighed in a 100 ml round bottom flask and dcm ( 10 . 0 ml , catalog # d150 - 4 , fisher scientific , suwanee , ga ., usa ) was added . diea ( 0 . 001088 ml , 1 . 4 eq , catalog 387649 - 100 , sigma aldrich , st . louis , mo .) was added into the flask and the mixture was gently stirred at ( 1000 rpm ) at room temperature ( 24 ° c .) for ˜ 8 hours . after 8 hours , the stirring was stopped . the purification procedure was performed according to the procedure set forth above in step 1 of example 26 , yield . 70 %. the compound 17 ( 0 . 200 g , 1 eq ), was weighed in a 100 ml round bottom flask , piperidine ( 10 %, catalog # 104094 , sigma aldrich , st , louis , mo .) in dcm ( 10 ml 10 . 0 ml , catalog # d150 - 4 , fisher scientific , suwanee , ga ., usa ) was added into the flask and the mixture was gently stirred at ( 1000 rpm ) at room temperature ( 24 ° c .) for ˜ 0 . 5 hours . after 0 . 5 hours , the stirring was stopped . the purification procedure was performed according to the procedure set forth above in step 1 of example 26 . yield , 68 %. in vitro release of lys ( z )- ome from peg - glu ( nh 2 )-( α ) lys ( z )- ome conjugate in pbs the procedure for the preparation of pbs was prepared according to the procedure set forth above in example 14 , peg - glu ( nh 2 )-( α ) lys ( z ) ome conjugate ( 15 mg ) was dissolved in pbs ( 15 ml ) and incubated at 37 ° c . aliquots ( 50 μl ) were taken at regular time intervals and the sample aliquots were dried using a centrivap ( labconco corporation , kansas city , mo .). the cumulative cleavage (%) of lys ( z ) ome from peg - glu ( nh 2 )-( α ) lys ( z ) ome conjugate was measured using fluorescamine assay 24 . the release studies showed that ˜ 99 % release occurs in 490 h . in vitro release of z - lys ( cooh ) ome from peg - glu ( nh 2 )-( ε ) lys ( z ) ome conjugate in pbs the procedure for the preparation of pbs was prepared according to the procedure set forth above example 14 . peg - glu ( nh 2 )-( ε ) lys ( z ) ome conjugates ( 15 mg ) was dissolved in pbs ( 15 ml ) and incubated at 7 ° c . aliquots ( 50 μl ) were taken at regular time intervals and the sample aliquots were dried using a centrivap ( labconco corporation , kansas city , mo .). the cumulative cleavage (%) of z - lysome from peg - glu ( nh 2 )-( ε ) lys ( z ) ome conjugate was measured using fluorescamine assay 24 . the release studies showed that 99 % of z - lysome was released from peg - glu ( nh 2 )-( ε ) lys ( z ) ome conjugates in ˜ 29 h . preparation of peg 20kda -[ s - fluorescein ] 3 [ sh ] 5 nanocarrier to oobtain crosslinked nanocarrier hydrogel ( fig1 ) preparation of sodium phosphate buffer ( 0 . 1 m , ph = 7 . 44 ± 0 . 05 ) containing ethylene tetraacetate ( edta , 5 mm ) sodium phosphate dibasic ( 1m catalog # s - 9763 sigma aldrich , st . louis , mo .) and sodium diphosphate monobasic solutions ( 1m , catalog # s - 0751 , sigma aldrich , st . louis , mo .) were prepared in di water , sodium phosphate dibasic ( 7 . 74 ml ) and sodium phosphate monobasic ( 2 . 26 ml ) solutions were mixed into a beaker . di water ( 80 . 0 ml ) was added to the beaker and edta was dissolved ( 186 . 1 mg , sigma aldrich , st . louis , mo .) in it . the ph was measured on ph meter ( symphony b70p , vwr international , pittsburgh , pa .) and adjusted to 7 . 40 using 0 . 1 n sodium hydroxide solution ( catalog # ss276 - 4 , fisher scientific , suwanee , ga .). the buffer was transferred to a volumetric flask and di water was added to adjust the final buffer volume to 100 ml . the thiol - functionalized eight - arm poly ( ethylene glycol ) polymer ( peg 20kda -[ sh ] 8 , 100 mg , 4 . 65 × 10 − 3 mm ; catalog # sunbright hgeo - 200sh , nof america corporation , white plains , n . y .) was weighed in a 50 ml centrifuge tube and pb ( 10 . 0 ml ) was added . the mixture was gently stirred at ( 1000 rpm ) at room temperature ( 24 ° c .) to obtain a clear solution , fluorescein - 5 - maleimide ( 0 . 5 equiv ., 5 . 17 mg ; catalog # 81405 , anaspec , san jose , calif .) was dissolved in dmf ( 0 . 5 catalog # em - dx1727 - 6 , vwr international , pittsburgh , pa .) and added to the polymer solution . the centrifuge rube containing the reaction mixture was covered with aluminum foil ( to maintain dark conditions ) and stirred at ( 1000 - 1500 rpm ) at room temperature ( 24 ° c .) for overnight period (˜ 12 hours ). after 12 hours , the stirring was stopped . the nanocarrier was purified by gpc on sephadex g50 column in dark , using di water as the eluent . the reaction mixture ( 10 × 1 . 0 ml ) was loaded onto the column and eluted using di water ; the high molecular weight nanocarrier eluted first , followed by the low molecular weight free fluorescein . high molecular weight fractions were pooled together and lyophilized for 5 - days ( labconco , freezone 2 . 5 plus , temperature : ˜ 84 pressure : 0 . 0 . 10 millibar ). nanocarrier was obtained as yellow flakes ( 76 . 3 mg ). the nanocarrier was characterized on waters breeze gpc system ( waters corporation , milford , mass .). the unmodified polymer showed retention time of 8 . 9 minutes whereas the nanocarrier showed the retention time of 8 . 0 minutes . the unmodified polymer showed a peak in refractive index panel but not the uv panel because peg does not absorb at 480 nm , however , nanocarrier showed peak in uv panel too due to the presence of fluorescein , which strongly absorbs at 480 nm wavelengths . sodium phosphate dibasic ( 1m . catalog # s - 9763 , sigma aldrich , st . louis , mo .) and monobasic ( 1m , catalog # s - 0751 , sigma aldrich , st . louis , mo .) solutions were prepared separately in volumetric flasks . sodium phosphate dibasic ( 1 . 54 ml ) and monobasic ( 0 . 46 ml ) solutions were transferred to a beaker and 80 . 0 ml of di water was added to it . the ph of buffer was measured according to the procedures set forth above in example 30 and adjusted to 7 . 44 using . 0 . 1n sodium hydroxide solution ( catalog # ss276 - 4 , fisher scientific , suwanee , ga .). the solution was transferred to a volumetric flask and more di water was added to adjust the final volume to 100 peg 20kda -[ s - fluorescein ] 0 . 5 [ sh ] 7 . 5 nanocarrier ( 4 mg , 2 × 10 − 4 mm ) was weighed in a centrifuge tube and pb ( 0 . 8 ml ) was added . the solution was briefly (˜ 1 - 2 min ) vortexed to make a clear solution . crosslinker solution was prepared by weighing peg 3 . 4kda -[ nhs ] 2 crosslinker ( 4 equiv ., 8 × 10 − 4 mm , catalog # sunbright de - 034gs , nof america , white plains , n . y .) in a centrifuge tube and dissolving it into pb ( 0 . 2 ml ). the nanocarrier solution ( 0 . 8 ml ) was transferred to a glass vial ( 12 × 32 mm , sepcap clear vial , catalog # c4011 - 80 , national scientific company , rockwood , tenn .) followed by the crosslinker solution ( 0 . 2 ml ). the solution mixture was allowed to stand at room temperature ( 24 ° c .). the solution started becoming , more and more viscous and ceased to flow from the inverted tube in 16 min indicating the hydrogel formation . hydrogel examples prepared using thioester bonds are summarized in table 2 . proof of principle work . hydrogels prepared using degradable thioester bonds and elimination mechanism based crosslinkers for timed biodegradation were not used . all hydrogels were prepared using the procedure described in example 31 . non - invasive hydrogel retention studies in rats breast duct ( fig1 ) six - weeks old , female sprague - dawley rats were obtained ( hilltop lab animals , inc ., scottdale , pa .) and housed in rutgers laboratory animal services facility accredited by association for the assessment and accreditation of laboratory and care international ( aaalac ). they were maintained on a 12 - hour light / dark cycle and received laboratory chow and water ad libitum . animals were housed three per cage and allowed to acclimatize at least 1 - day prior to the studies . all experiments were carried out under established federal regulations and animal protocols ( protocol # 05 - 026 ) approved by the rutgers university institutional animal care and use committee . a day prior to the study , the rat body was clipped with a clipper under anesthesia with isoflurane ( aerrane , catalog # ndc 10019 - 773 - 40 , baxter , deerfield , ill .) and veet ( reckitt benckiser north america , parsippany , n . j .) was applied on the clipped skin veet was removed 5 minutes post application and rats were washed with warm water and wiped with dry paper towels . the nanocarrier ( peg - 20kda [ s - fluorescein ] 0 . 5 [ sh ] 7 . 5 ) solution was prepared in pb at a concentration of 4 mg / 0 . 8 ml whereas the crosslinker solution ( peg 3 . 4kda -[ nhs ] 2 ) was prepared at a concentration of 2 . 7 mg / 0 . 2 ml . the nanocarrier and crosslinker solutions were mixed together in a centrifuge tube . rat under anesthesia with isoflurane ( aerrane , catalog # ndc 10019 - 773 - 40 , baxter , deerfield , ill .) was placed under a surgical microscope ( stereomaster , fisher scientific , suwanee , ga .) equipped with a ring lamp , and magnification was adjusted to operator &# 39 ; s comfort to aid the injection procedure . the hydrogel solution ( 0 . 1 ml ) prepared above was injected into the third teat ( counting from the head ) using a 33 g needle ( catalog # 7747 - 01 , hamilton , reno , nev .) attached to a 0 . 1 ml hamilton syringe ( catalog # 81020 , hamilton , reno , nev . ), them situ hydrogels ( palpable ) are formed in about ˜ 16 - 20 minutes . the process was repeated with two more rats . after the intraductal hydrogel administration , rats were immediately imaged ( one at a time ) on ivis 100 optical imaging system ( xenogen imaging technologies , now part of caliper life sciences , hopkinton , mass .). the system was set up as follows : level : high ; em / ex : gfp , bin ; hr ( 4 ); fov 25 ; aperture : f4 ; and shutter : 1 s . the animals were then imaged at different time points . fluorescent intensity of the injected area subtracted with that of uninjected distal area was used for hydrogel quantitation in ducts . hydrogels prepared using degradable thioester bonds were retained in ducts for 30 - days . * proof of principle work . hydrogels prepared using degradable thioester bonds and elimination mechanism based crosslinkers for timed biodegradation were not used mice were obtained ( balb / c − hilltop lab animals , inc ., scottdale , pa .) and housed in rutgers laboratory animal services facility accredited by the association for the assessment and accreditation of laboratory and care international ( aaalac ). they were maintained on a 12 - hour light / dark cycle and received laboratory chow and water ad libitum . animals were housed three per cage and allowed to acclimatize at least 1 - day prior to the studies . a day prior to the study , the mice were anesthesia with isoflurane ( aerrane . catalog # ndc 10019 - 773 - 40 , baxter , deerfield , ill .) and veet ( reckitt benckiser north america , inc ., parsippany , n . j .) was applied on the clipped skin . veet was removed 5 minutes post application and rats were washed with warm water and wiped with dry paper towels . the procedure for the preparation of phosphate buffer , preparation of polymer solution , preparation of cross - linker solution and preparation of hydrogel were used as set forth above in example 1 . the hydrogel solution ( 0 . 1 ml , polymer solution and crosslinker solution ) prepared above was injected into mice subcutaneously using a 28 g needle attached to a 1 ml syringe . the solution started becoming more viscous and formed hydrogel in 1 min . after the hydrogel administration , size of the hydrogel was measured using vernier caliper . the size of the hydrogel was measured at different time points . hydrogels prepared using degradable emxl cross - linker was retained for 14 days . mice were obtained ( balb / c − hilltop lab animals , inc ., scottdale , pa .) and housed in rutgers laboratory animal services facility accredited by the association for the assessment and accreditation of laboratory and care international ( analac ). they were maintained on a 12 - hour lightidark cycle and received laboratory chow and water ad libitum , animals were housed three per cage and allowed to acclimatize at least 1 - day prior to the studies . a day prior to the study , the mice were anesthesia with isoflurane ( aerrane , catalog # ndc 10019 - 773 - 40 , baxter , deerfield , ill .) and veet ( reckitt benckiser north america , inc ., parsippany , n . j .) was applied on the clipped , skin . veet was removed 5 minutes post application and rats were washed with warm water and wiped with dry paper towels . the procedure for the preparation of phosphate buffer , preparation of polymer solution , preparation of cross - linker solution and preparation of hydrogel were used as set forth above in example 2 , the hydrogel solution ( 0 . 1 ml polymer solution and crosslinker solution ) prepared above was injected into mice subcutaneously using a 28 g needle attached to a 1 ml syringe . the in situ solution started becoming more viscous and formed hydrogel in 1 min after the hydrogel administration , size of the hydrogel was measured using vernier caliper . the size of the hydrogel was measured at different time points . hydrogels prepared using degradable emxl cross - 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