A phosphate-containing and photocrosslinkable polymer, poly(ethylene glycol) di-[ethyl phosphatidyl (ethylene glycol) methacrylate], “PhosPEG-dMA”, was synthesized. As a water-soluble macromer, PhosPEG-dMA is suitable for in situ injection and cell-encapsulation by light-induced gelation to produce a novel biocompatible and biodegradable hydrogel for application to cartilage and bone tissue engineering. ¹H-NMR, MALDI-TOF mass spectrometry, and elemental analysis were performed to characterize the macromer. Fifteen and 20% (w/v) PhosPEG gels were photopolymerized using UV light with 0.05% photoinitiator. The swelling and water content of the hydrogels was studied and the crosslinking efficiency (density) of the macromers was simulated based on the Peppas-Merrill model. Torsional mechanical analysis of the gels demonstrated a viscoelastic characteristic with high elasticity. The results …