Hydrogels generated through thiol-ene coupling, the reaction of thiol residues with alkenes, are increasingly used for the encapsulation of cells within 3D hydrogels and the design of soft materials for drug release . This enables to achieve a broad control of physico-chemical properties that, in turn, can regulate cell phenotype , the delivery of therapeutics and repair of soft tissues . Indeed, the excellent control of crosslinking through Michael addition and radical mechanisms, even in the presence of air and in physiological conditions, allows the control of mechanical properties of resulting hydrogels whilst enabling the incorporation of a broad range of eukaryotic cells with excellent viabilities .