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Cellular Encapsulation in 3D Hydrogels for Tissue Engineering
Published on: October 26, 2009
Cell encapsules with tunable transport and mechanical properties.
Dawei Luo1, Srinivasa Rao Pullela, Manuel Marquez
1Artie McFerrin, Department of Chemical Engineering, Texas A&M University, College Station, Texas 77843-3122, USA and INEST (Interdisciplinary Network of Emerging Science and Technologies) Group Postgraduate Program, Philip Morris USA, Richmond, Virginia 23234, USA.
Biomicrofluidics
|August 21, 2009
Summary
Uniform agarose microcapsules were created using microfluidics. These capsules, enhanced with polyelectrolyte and silica nanoparticle coatings, show tailored transport properties and can encapsulate yeast cells.
Area of Science:
- Biomaterials Engineering
- Microfluidics
- Nanotechnology
Background:
- Microfluidic devices offer precise control over droplet generation for creating microcapsules.
- Tailoring surface properties of microcapsules is crucial for controlled release and enhanced mechanical strength.
Purpose of the Study:
- To develop a method for producing uniform agarose microcapsules using microfluidics.
- To functionalize agarose microcapsules with layer-by-layer (LBL) polyelectrolyte and silica nanoparticle coatings.
- To evaluate the transport properties and mechanical strength of the functionalized microcapsules and demonstrate cell encapsulation.
Main Methods:
- Utilized a microfluidic device with hydrodynamic flow focusing to generate agarose droplets (50-110 µm).
- Applied layer-by-layer (LBL) polyelectrolyte coatings to tailor surface properties.
- Measured transport properties via Rhodamine B release rates.
- Enhanced mechanical strength using silica nanoparticle coatings.
- Demonstrated encapsulation of yeast cells.
Main Results:
- Achieved production of uniform agarose droplets in the 50-110 µm range.
- Successfully tailored the transport properties of agarose particles using LBL polyelectrolyte coatings.
- Significantly enhanced the mechanical strength of capsules with combined polyelectrolyte and silica nanoparticle coatings.
- Confirmed successful encapsulation of yeast cells within the developed agarose capsules.
Conclusions:
- Microfluidics provides a robust platform for generating uniform agarose microcapsules.
- Surface functionalization with LBL polyelectrolytes and silica nanoparticles effectively controls transport properties and enhances mechanical integrity.
- The developed agarose capsules are suitable for encapsulating biological entities like yeast cells.
