A digital micro-mirror device-based system for the microfabrication of complex, spatially patterned tissue engineering scaffolds

Our ability to create precise, pre-designed, spatially patterned biochemical and physical microenvironments inside polymer scaffolds could provide a powerful tool in studying progenitor cell behavior and differentiation under biomimetic, three-dimensional (3D) culture conditions. We have developed a simple and fast, layer-by-layer microstereolithography system consisting of an ultra-violet light source, a digital micro-mirror masking device, and a conventional computer projector, that allows fabrication of complex internal features along with precise spatial distribution of biological factors inside a single scaffold. Photo-crosslinkable poly(ethylene glycol) diacrylates were used as the scaffold material, and murine bone marrow-derived cells were successfully encapsulated or seeded on fibronectin-functionalized scaffolds. Fluorescently-labeled polystyrene microparticles were used to show the capability of this system to create scaffolds with complex internal architectures and spatial patterns. We demonstrate that precisely controlled pore size and shapes can be easily fabricated using a simple, computer-aided process. Our results further indicate that multi-layered scaffolds with spatially distributed factors in the same layer or across different layers can be efficiently manufactured using this technique. These microfabricated scaffolds are conducive for osteogenic differentiation of marrow-derived stem cells, as indicated by efficient matrix mineralization.