Heterobifunctional linear polyethylene glycol (PEG) was utilized to functionalize alginate’s polymeric backbone with multiple alkyl azide end groups. In the presence of PEG and alginate-based crosslinkers, ionically-crosslinked alginate beads were covalently stabilized via Staudinger ligation. The resulting materials and bioorthogonal covalent stabilization approach were not detrimental to encapsulated mouse insulinoma (MIN6) cells.

Gattás-Asfura, K. M.; Fraker, C. A.; Stabler, C. L. J. Biomed. Mater. Res. Part A 2011, 99A, 47-57