The tri-block copolymer (PEO)(99)-(PPO)(69)-(PEO)(99) (commercially known as F127, with PEO and PPO representing polyethylene oxide and polypropylene oxide, respectively), a member of Pluronics copolymers, was chemically modified by introducing vinyl groups at the terminal ends of the polymer chain. With or without the addition of Pluronics or PEO chains, the modified copolymer could be cross-linked by UV irradiation to form a soft but tough gel-like scaffold. This cross-linked polymer has material properties, such as storage modulus (11-40 kPa), comparable to native human breast tissue. Swelling studies revealed that the strength of the cross-linked polymer networks could be adjusted to be comparable to human adipose tissue. Exposure of pre-adipocytes to the constituents of the Pluronics hydrogel and the cross-linked gel did not show any adverse effects on the cells, thus confirming the biocompatibility of the cross-linked hydrogel. Taken together, these findings suggest that cross-linking of modified Pluronics hydrogel can potentially yield a promising candidate scaffold for the regeneration of native tissue, such as breast tissue to repair defects resulting from lumpectomies. (C) 2013 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.