The structuring and properties of hydrogels prepared with a biologically active macromonomer

The copolymerization of a macromonomeric inhibitor of proteolytic enzymes with acrylamide and N,N′-methylenebis(acrylamide) in an aqueous solution in the presence of a redox catalyst has been studied. It has been shown that the addition of mercaptoacetic acid as a chain-transfer agent to the polymerization system results in a change in the structure of the forming hydrogel, i.e., a decrease in the number of large pores. Simultaneously, a substantial increase in the degree of the macromonomer incorporation into the hydrogel is attained and favorable conditions for the development of the biological activity of the macromonomer are created.