Abstract: Provided herein according to some embodiments of the invention are methods of inhibiting or preventing calcification of hydrogels. Such methods may include combining the hydrogel with a buffer solution having a pH lower than 7.4; forming hydrogel by crosslinking alginate in a solution comprising a bisphosphonate compound; and/or forming hydrogel by crosslinking polyanionic polymer with a polyvalent cation that is not Ca2+. Compositions that may be used in such methods are also provided herein. Also provided herein according to some embodiments of the invention are methods of bone regeneration and/or formation that include administering hydrogel that does not encapsulate biological material that affects calcification and/or bone formation to an area of a subject's body that is in need of bone formation and/or regeneration.

Abstract: Provided herein according to some embodiments of the invention are methods of inhibiting or preventing calcification of hydrogels. Such methods may include combining the hydrogel with a buffer solution having a pH lower than 7.4; forming a hydrogel by crosslinking alginate in a solution comprising a bisphosphonate compound; and/or forming a hydrogel by crosslinking a polyanionic polymer with a polyvalent cation that is not Ca2+. Compositions that may be used in such methods are also provided herein. Also provided herein according to some embodiments of the invention are methods of bone regeneration and/or formation that include administering a hydrogel that does not encapsulate biological material that affects calcification and/or bone formation to an area of a subject's body that is in need of bone formation and/or regeneration.