3D Cell Culture in Micropatterned Hydrogels Prepared by Photomask, Microneedle, or Soft Lithography Techniques

Despite the advantages of three-dimensional (3D) hydrogels for cell culture over traditional 2D plates, their clinical application is limited by inability to recapitulate the micro-architecture of complex tissues. Micropatterning can be employed to modify the homogenous micro-architecture of hydrogels. Three techniques for cell encapsulation in 3D micropatterned gels are described. The photomask and micromold techniques are used for cell encapsulation in relatively shallow patterns like disks or short rectangles but due to the presence of PDMS mold, the resolution of micromold technique is potentially higher than the photomask. The microneedle technique is often used for cell encapsulation in relatively deep microchannels within any geometry.