This assay gave a clear visual signal of gel degradation, which could be monitored in real time using a UV-Vis absorbance plate. Supernatant degradation tests were performed thrice in triplicate (Figures ). Figure summarizes the results of this test, showing the bacterial strains tested and whether they degraded the hydrogel. The tests show that only some P. aeruginosa strains were able to degrade the gels in under 24 hours, even though many of the other strains tested are known to release proteases. For example, S. aureus strains express proteases as can be seen with the degradation of the un-crosslinked gelatin hydrogels (Figure ). However, they do not degrade the crosslinked hydrogels. It might be these proteases are not able to access their degradation sites because of the crosslinking.