@misc{folikumah_thiolthioester_exchange_2021, author={Folikumah, M., Behl, M., Lendlein, A.}, title={Thiol–Thioester Exchange Reactions in Precursors Enable pH-Triggered Hydrogel Formation}, year={2021}, howpublished = {journal article}, doi = {https://doi.org/10.1021/acs.biomac.0c01690}, abstract = {Bio-interactive hydrogel formation in situ requires sensory capabilities toward physiologically relevant stimuli. Here, we report on pH-controlled in situ hydrogel formation relying on latent cross-linkers, which transform from pH sensors to reactive molecules. In particular, thiopeptolide/thio-depsipeptides were capable of pH-sensitive thiol–thioester exchange reactions to yield α,ω-dithiols, which react with maleimide-functionalized multi-arm polyethylene glycol to polymer networks. Their water solubility and diffusibility qualify thiol/thioester-containing peptide mimetics as sensory precursors to drive in situ localized hydrogel formation with potential applications in tissue regeneration such as treatment of inflamed tissues of the urinary tract.}, note = {Online available at: \url{https://doi.org/10.1021/acs.biomac.0c01690} (DOI). Folikumah, M.; Behl, M.; Lendlein, A.: Thiol–Thioester Exchange Reactions in Precursors Enable pH-Triggered Hydrogel Formation. Biomacromolecules. 2021. vol. 22, no. 5, 1875-1884. DOI: 10.1021/acs.biomac.0c01690}}