3D biopolymeric scaffolds often lack the biochemical cues and mechanical strength to encourage bone tissue regeneration. Chemical crosslinkers have been extensively used to impart strength, but have been found to be toxic at the site of implantation and possess a lacuna in physical strength. We attempted to address this by engineering a self-crosslinked polymer through the in-situ reduction of Graphene oxide (GO) in a gelatin cryogel (Gel-RGO) using ice as a template to create pores. Superior osteoinductive and antimicrobial properties were further endowed on the cryogel by incorporating silver nanoparticles decorated nanohydroxyapatite in the Gel-RGO_Ag@Hap(2%) cryogel. The optimized biocompatible cryogel favoured bone cell adhesion and its proliferation. The osteoconductive and osteoinductive potential of the cryogel was confirmed through biomineralization and differentiation of bone cells. In addition, these cryogels showed prolonged antimicrobial activity against S. aureus. This investigation exhibits the achievability/prospect of building up an ideal gelatin platform without the utilization of an outside crosslinking agent via manipulating the conditions of gelation. The superior crosslinking achieved between gelatin and GO, in addition to its ability to support bone formation and prevent infection make this cryogel an attractive candidate for bone tissue engineering applications.

3D 生物聚合物支架通常缺乏促进骨组织再生的生化线索和机械强度。化学交联剂已广泛用于赋予强度，但已发现在植入部位有毒并具有物理强度的空白。我们试图通过使用冰作为模板在明胶冷冻凝胶 (Gel-RGO) 中原位还原氧化石墨烯 (GO)来设计自交联聚合物来解决这个问题。通过在 Gel-RGO _{Ag@Hap(2%)中加入银纳米粒子修饰的纳米羟基磷灰石，进一步赋予冷冻凝胶优异的骨诱导和抗菌性能}冷冻凝胶。优化的生物相容性冷冻凝胶有利于骨细胞粘附及其增殖。通过骨细胞的生物矿化和分化证实了冷冻凝胶的骨传导和骨诱导潜力。此外，这些冷冻凝胶对金黄色葡萄球菌显示出延长的抗菌活性。这项研究展示了通过控制凝胶条件在不使用外部交联剂的情况下建立理想明胶平台的可实现性/前景。明胶和 GO 之间实现的卓越交联，以及支持骨形成和防止感染的能力，使这种冷冻凝胶成为骨组织工程应用的有吸引力的候选者。