A practical method for patterning lumens through ECM hydrogels via viscous finger patterning.

Area of Science:

• Biomaterials Science
• Tissue Engineering
• Fluid Dynamics

Background:

• Extracellular matrix (ECM) hydrogels with patterned lumens are valuable for creating physiologically relevant tissue models.
• Current methods for lumen generation are slow and cumbersome, limiting their use in research and high-throughput screening.

Purpose of the Study:

• To introduce viscous finger patterning, a novel technique for rapidly generating lumens in ECM hydrogels.
• To demonstrate the versatility and scalability of this new method for creating complex tissue models.

Main Methods:

• Viscous finger patterning utilizes passive pumping of culture media through unpolymerized hydrogels to create lumens.
• The technique leverages the fluid dynamics phenomenon of viscous fingering.
• Methods were characterized using various channel geometries, ECM compositions, and multi-layered hydrogels.

Main Results:

• Viscous finger patterning allows for lumen generation via manual or automated pipetting.
• The technique successfully created diverse channel geometries and lumen structures.
• Demonstrated potential for high-throughput generation using automated liquid handling systems.

Conclusions:

• Viscous finger patterning offers a rapid, cost-effective, and scalable method for creating patterned lumens in ECM hydrogels.
• This technique overcomes a major barrier, enabling wider adoption of advanced tissue models in biological studies and drug screening.