Bottom-Up Structuring and Site-Selective Modification of Hydrogels Using a Two-Photon [2+2] Cycloaddition of Maleimide.

Creating hydrogel systems to mimic the extracellular matrix is often limited by their static nature. The use of a two-photon [2+2] cycloaddition of maleimide groups to structure surfaces, to create hydrogels, and add 3D modifications with sub-micrometer precision is reported. The absence of photoinitiators and usage of near-infrared light is promising for future in vivo studies.