ABSTRACT
From the point of view of polymer chemistry, macroporous hydrogels prepared by cryotropic gelation have existed for some time. However, their potential for biotechnological and biomedical applications has been realized only recently (Lozinsky et al. 2003; Dainiak, Galaev, et al. 2007; Dainiak, Mattiasson, and Galaev 2007). In particular, it has been demonstrated that cryogels are highly suitable as matrices for cell separation and for cell culture applications due to the combination of elastic, three-dimensional (3-D), polymeric network and unique interconnective highly porous structure capable of absorbing and keeping large a amount of water or biologic uids inside the pores as well as ensuring nonhindered mass transport of nutrients and metabolic products.
