Lei Cai

Title: Innovations of Lei Cai in Hydrogel Technology

Introduction

Lei Cai is an accomplished inventor based in Palo Alto, CA. He has made significant contributions to the field of hydrogel technology, particularly in the area of cell encapsulation. His innovative work has the potential to impact various applications in biomedical engineering and tissue engineering.

Latest Patents

Lei Cai holds a patent for "Hetero-assembling, tunable, and injectable hydrogels for cell encapsulation." This patent describes a viscoelastic hydrogel that is based on a protein hetero-assembled with a polymer. The unique aspect of this hydrogel is that the protein cannot self-assemble with itself, and the polymer cannot self-assemble with itself either. The protein features a first association sequence (1stA) and a first spacer (1stSp), while the polymer has a second association sequence (2ndA) and a second spacer (2ndSp). These components are physically cross-linked to interact with each other in a 1:1 known and specific stoichiometry, forming a three-dimensional scaffold. The protein is represented by {1stA(1stSp)}1stA, where x is ≥2, and the polymer is represented by {2ndA(2ndSp)}2ndA, where y ≥2. This innovative approach to hydrogel design opens new avenues for cell encapsulation techniques.

Career Highlights

Lei Cai is affiliated with Leland Stanford Junior University, where he continues to advance his research in hydrogel technology. His work has garnered attention for its potential applications in various fields, including regenerative medicine and drug delivery systems.

Collaborations

Lei Cai collaborates with notable colleagues such as Sarah C Heilshorn and Widya Mulyasasmita. Their combined expertise contributes to the advancement of research in hydrogel applications and related technologies.

Conclusion

In summary, Lei Cai's innovative work in hydrogel technology, particularly his patented methods for cell encapsulation, showcases his significant contributions to the field. His research at Leland Stanford Junior University continues to pave the way for advancements in biomedical applications.