Stop-flow lithography to generate cell-laden microgel particles

Lab Chip. 2008 Jul;8(7):1056-61. doi: 10.1039/b804234a. Epub 2008 May 22.

Abstract

Encapsulating cells within hydrogels is important for generating three-dimensional (3D) tissue constructs for drug delivery and tissue engineering. This paper describes, for the first time, the fabrication of large numbers of cell-laden microgel particles using a continuous microfluidic process called stop-flow lithography (SFL). Prepolymer solution containing cells was flowed through a microfluidic device and arrays of individual particles were repeatedly defined using pulses of UV light through a transparency mask. Unlike photolithography, SFL can be used to synthesize microgel particles continuously while maintaining control over particle size, shape and anisotropy. Therefore, SFL may become a useful tool for generating cell-laden microgels for various biomedical applications.

Publication types

  • Research Support, N.I.H., Extramural
  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't
  • Research Support, U.S. Gov't, Non-P.H.S.

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Cell Survival / drug effects
  • Cells / cytology
  • Cells / drug effects
  • Cells / metabolism*
  • Hydrogels / metabolism*
  • Hydrogels / pharmacology
  • Mice
  • Microfluidic Analytical Techniques / methods*
  • NIH 3T3 Cells
  • Polyethylene Glycols / metabolism
  • Polyethylene Glycols / pharmacology
  • Tissue Engineering

Substances

  • Hydrogels
  • poly(ethylene glycol)diacrylate
  • Polyethylene Glycols