Cellulose is the most abudant polysaccharide on Earth and is being increasingly researched for design of new materials. Biocompatibility and biodegradability are particularly important properties of cellulose. Three hydroxyl groups on each glucose unit enable various modifications, crosslinking of the chains and preparations of hydrogels. Cellulose based hydrogels and silver nanoparticles have already been studied as the antibacterial composite materials that are biocompatible, easily degradable and environmentaly friendly. Properties of hydrogels can be changed by introducing new functional groups on the basic polysaccharide chain. The aim of this study was to prepare cellulose based hydrogels grafted with dimethylaminoethyl methacrylate (DMAEMA) and modify them later on by introducing silver nanoparticles. DMAEMA was used as functional monomer in preparations of hydrogels, which has a pH sensitive amino group in its structure. Silver is known for its antibacterial activity and also has a catalytic use, so this hydrogel could serve as a catalyst carrier. Such a combination of substances of different intrinisic characteristics gives the opportunity to create new materials of prestigious properties for very different applications, from sensors to versatile carriers and coatings with a good prospective use regarding e.g. pharmacy, medicine, water treatment industry, etc. DMAEMA polymerization on cellulose was carried out in N,N-dimethyl acetamide/LiCl solvent system with a peroxide initiator Trigonox 21 at 90 °C. N,N-methylene-bis-acrylamide (MBA) was used as the crosslinker. Quantitative ratios were altered during synthesis of hydrogels: cellulose and DMAEMA (1:1 and 1:3) and cellulose and MBA (5:1 and 2.5:1). Silver nanoparticles were synthesized from silver nitrate solution with rosemary extract at room temperature and at 80 °C. Silver particles were captured in hydrogels by: a) swelling of hydrogels in the prepared suspension of silver nanoparticles, b) swelling of hydrogels in silver nitrate solution. Prepared hydrogels were characterized by infrared spectroscopy to determine the fraction of methacrylate polymer in the hydrogel. Also, the degree of swelling is determined for prepared hydrogels swollen in deionized water, while the morphology of the sample and the presence of silver were determined by scanning electron microscopy. Thermogravimetric analysis was used to determine the thermal stability of hydrogels. Based on the band ratios at 1724 and 897 cm^-1, it was found that the highest fraction of PDMAEMA had hydrogels with a ratio of cellulose and DMAEMA 1:1, polymerized for 5 hours. By determining the degree of swelling, it was found that the hydrogel with a smaller amount of MBA swelled the most (about 500%), the hydrogel with a higher amount of MBA swelled about 250%, and the cellulose sphere swelled about 80%. Thermogravimetric analysis determined that the cellulose sphere had a higher thermal stability than hydrogels whereat the registered difference was about 60 °C.