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Spherical phospholipid polymer hydrogels for cell encapsulation prepared with a flow-focusing microfluidic channel
Tatsuo Aikawa1, Tomohiro Konno, Madoka Takai
1Department of Materials Engineering, School of Engineering, The University of Tokyo, 7-3-1 Hongo, Tokyo 113-8656, Japan.
Langmuir : the ACS Journal of Surfaces and Colloids
|December 20, 2011
Summary
This study demonstrates continuous preparation of cell-encapsulating spherical hydrogels using a microfluidic device. The bioinspired polymers, 2-methacryloyloxyethyl phosphorylcholine polymer (PMBV) and poly(vinyl alcohol) (PVA), form hydrogels with controllable diameters.
Area of Science:
- Biomaterials Engineering
- Microfluidics
- Polymer Science
Background:
- Spherical hydrogels are valuable for cell encapsulation and biomimetic environments.
- Existing methods for hydrogel preparation can be limited in scalability and control.
- Bioinspired polymers offer unique properties for hydrogel formation and cell interaction.
Purpose of the Study:
- To develop a continuous method for preparing cell-encapsulating spherical hydrogels.
- To investigate the use of a flow-focusing microfluidic device for hydrogel synthesis.
- To characterize the properties and cell viability within the fabricated hydrogels.
Main Methods:
- Utilized a flow-focusing microfluidic device made of polydimethylsiloxane.
- Mixed aqueous solutions of 2-methacryloyloxyethyl phosphorylcholine polymer bearing phenyl boronic acid groups (PMBV) and poly(vinyl alcohol) (PVA).
- Treated channel surfaces with fluoroalkyl compound to prevent polymer adhesion.
Main Results:
- Achieved controlled spherical hydrogel diameters ranging from 30-90 μm with high monodispersity.
- Demonstrated continuous encapsulation and viability of single cells within the hydrogels.
- Found that PVA concentration influenced polymer distribution and hydrogel dissociation was possible with d-sorbitol.
Conclusions:
- The flow-focusing microfluidic device enables continuous, controlled synthesis of spherical hydrogels.
- Spontaneous hydrogel formation between PMBV and PVA is effective for encapsulating living cells.
- Localized polymer distribution within hydrogels may offer potential for modulating cell function.
