Optimised production of multifunctional microfibres by microfluidic chip technology for tissue engineering...

Area of Science:

• Biomaterials Engineering
• Microfluidics
• Tissue Engineering

Background:

• Alginate microfibres are promising for drug delivery and tissue engineering.
• Controlled fabrication is crucial for their functionality.

Purpose of the Study:

• To develop a method for producing cell-containing alginate microfibres using microfluidic chips.
• To investigate key parameters influencing microfibre geometry and cell viability.

Main Methods:

• Fabrication of glass-based microfluidic chips via photolithography and wet etching.
• Systematic investigation of parameters (alginate concentration, flow rate, gelling bath concentration) using Changing One Separate factor a Time (COST) and Design of Experiments (DoEs).
• Assessment of cell viability, wall thickness consistency, and cell distribution.

Main Results:

• Identified key parameters controlling microfibre diameter and geometry.
• Optimized alginate concentration, pumping rate, and gelling bath concentration for controlled microfibre production.
• Demonstrated minimal impact on cell viability and consistent cell distribution.

Conclusions:

• A method for producing alginate microfibres with controlled shape and cell content was established.
• The developed microfibres have potential for drug release formulations and tissue engineering scaffolds.
• The approach is suitable for further development towards scaling up and regulatory approval.