Magnetically Guided Self-Assembly and Coding of 3D Living Architectures

Area of Science:

• Biotechnology
• Tissue Engineering
• Cellular Biology

Background:

• Cells naturally self-assemble into complex structures, a process being mimicked for in vitro biological systems.
• Precise 3D coding of multicellular living materials is difficult due to architectural complexity and spatiotemporal heterogeneity.
• An effective assembly method with deterministic control is needed for biomanufacturing functional living systems.

Purpose of the Study:

• To present a universal system for 3D assembly and coding of cells into complex living architectures.
• To enable deterministic control over the fabrication of functional living systems for modeling physiological and pathological behaviors.
• To provide a method for real-time in situ imaging and monitoring of living material reconfigurability.

Main Methods:

• Utilized a gadolinium-based nonionic paramagnetic agent for cell levitation and assembly.
• Employed magnetic fields to guide the precise 3D organization of cells.
• Developed a system for in situ imaging, preserving cell viability and function.

Main Results:

• Achieved controlled geometry and organization of living materials through magnetic levitation and assembly.
• Demonstrated real-time in situ imaging capabilities, maintaining cell viability and functional properties.
• Successfully created a universal platform for 3D cell assembly and coding.

Conclusions:

• The developed method offers an innovative approach to monitor and guide the temporal and spatial reconfigurability of living materials in 3D.
• This platform facilitates the study of transient biological mechanisms.
• Broad applications are anticipated in 3D bioprinting, tissue engineering, drug discovery, developmental biology, neuroscience, and cancer research.