Abstract An acrylamide-type copolymer containing catechol, amino, and hydroxyl groups was synthesized as a mimetic of the natural mussel adhesive protein (MAP). The obtained copolymer in a phosphate buffer solution (pH= 8.0) formed a hydrogel within 2 h under air, whereas gelation did not proceed under argon atmosphere. We confirmed that the cross- linking reaction of the synthesized MAP mimetic copolymer was triggered by aerobic ...