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Engineering a Bilayered Hydrogel to Control ASC Differentiation

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Published on: May 25, 2012

Engineering the Cell Microenvironment Using Novel Photoresponsive Hydrogels.

Yuqing Dong^1,2, Guorui Jin^2,3, Yuan Hong^2,3

¹State Key Laboratory for Mechanical Behavior of Materials, School of Materials Science and Engineering , Xi'an Jiaotong University , Xi'an , Shaanxi 710049 , People's Republic of China.

ACS Applied Materials & Interfaces

|March 15, 2018

Summary

Photoresponsive hydrogels (PRHs) mimic dynamic 3D cell microenvironments. This review highlights how light-activated PRHs offer tunable properties to regulate cell fate and behavior in vitro.

Keywords:

3D cell microenvironment cell regulation extracellular matrix photoresponsive hydrogels physical and chemical properties

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Last Updated: Feb 13, 2026

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Cellular Encapsulation in 3D Hydrogels for Tissue Engineering

Cellular Encapsulation in 3D Hydrogels for Tissue Engineering

Published on: October 26, 2009

Area of Science:

Biomaterials Science
Cell Biology
Tissue Engineering

Background:

Cells exist in dynamic 3D microenvironments crucial for cell fate regulation.
Conventional hydrogels offer static 3D environments, limiting in vitro studies.
Stimuli-responsive hydrogels can mimic dynamic native cell microenvironments.

Purpose of the Study:

To provide a holistic overview of novel photoresponsive hydrogels (PRHs).
To highlight tunable physical and chemical properties of PRHs via light activation.
To discuss the application of PRHs in engineering dynamic cell microenvironments for in vitro cell behavior regulation.

Main Methods:

Review of existing literature on photoresponsive hydrogels.
Analysis of how light triggers changes in PRH properties.
Compilation of PRH applications in mimicking dynamic cell microenvironments.

Main Results:

PRHs can dynamically alter physical and chemical properties upon light irradiation.
Light activation allows for remote and precise control over the cell microenvironment.
PRHs show significant promise in studying cell fate and behavior regulation.

Conclusions:

Photoresponsive hydrogels are advanced biomaterials for mimicking dynamic 3D cell niches.
PRHs enable precise, light-controlled modulation of the cell microenvironment.
This review consolidates knowledge on PRHs for engineering dynamic in vitro cell environments.