Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jan 31, 2026
10:49
Printing Thermoresponsive Reverse Molds for the Creation of Patterned Two-component Hydrogels for 3D Cell Culture
Published on: July 10, 2013
15.6K
3D-Printed Hydrogel Composites for Predictive Temporal (4D) Cellular Organizations and Patterned Biogenic
Joselle M McCracken1, Brittany M Rauzan1, Jacob C E Kjellman1
1Department of Chemistry, University of Illinois-Urbana Champaign, 600 S. Matthews, Avenue, Urbana, IL, 61801, USA.
Advanced Healthcare Materials
|December 20, 2018
Summary
This study introduces 4D hydrogel scaffolds using 3D printing and nanoclay for controlled cell behavior. These advanced materials guide cell attachment and development in 3D microcultures.
Area of Science:
- Biomaterials Science
- Tissue Engineering
- Materials Chemistry
Background:
- Developing advanced hydrogel scaffolds is crucial for controlling cellular behavior in 3D microcultures.
- Programming temporal (4D) attributes of cellular decision-making requires novel material chemistries.
Purpose of the Study:
- To describe materials chemistries for hydrogel scaffolds capable of programming temporal attributes of cellular decision-making.
- To utilize direct-ink writing (DIW) to fabricate functional 4D hydrogel scaffolds.
Main Methods:
- Fabrication of hydrogel scaffolds using direct-ink writing (DIW), a 3D-printing technique.
- Incorporation of Laponite XLG (LAP) nanoclay into 2-hydroxyethyl methacrylate (HEMA)-based hydrogels to create LAP-HEMA (LH) composites.
- Analysis of cell-to-gel interfacial morphologies and cellular motility using spatial light interference microscopy (SLIM).
Main Results:
- Nanoclay-modified hydrogel domains promoted robust growth compliances without protein treatments, directing cell attachment (fibroblast and preosteoblast cells).
- The scaffolds fostered long-term osteodifferentiation in preosteoblast cells.
- High-resolution DIW of a nanocomposite ink (UniH) created dentition-mimetic 3D scaffolds with dynamic attributes.
Conclusions:
- Materials chemistry and geometry of hydrogel nanocomposites can direct cellular attachment and temporal development in 3D microcultures.
- This material system is valuable for 4D patterning of hydrogel scaffolds.
- The developed scaffolds offer a promising platform for advanced tissue engineering applications.
Related Concept Videos
02:34Water and Mineral Acquisition
35.7K
Specialized tissues in plant roots have evolved to capture water, minerals, and some ions from the soil. Roots exhibit a variety of branching patterns that facilitate this process. The outermost root cells have specialized structures called root hairs that increase the root surface, thus increasing soil contact. Water can passively cross into roots, as the concentration of water in the soil is higher than that of the root tissue. Minerals, in contrast, are actively transported into root cells.
35.7K
01:26Minerals
1.3K
Minerals are essential nutrients that the human body needs in small amounts to work properly. They play a vital role in many bodily functions, such as building strong bones and transmitting nerve impulses. Some minerals are needed for hormone production or to maintain a normal heartbeat. Major minerals include calcium, phosphorus, potassium, sulfur, sodium, chlorine, and magnesium, while trace minerals include iron, manganese, copper, iodine, zinc, cobalt, fluoride, and selenium.
Major...
Major...
1.3K
03:35Classifying Matter by Composition
90.4K
Matter: Pure Substances and Mixtures
According to its composition, the matter can be classified into two broad categories — pure substances and mixtures.
A pure substance is a form of matter that has a constant composition throughout with uniform properties. For example, any sample of sucrose has the same composition and same physical properties, such as melting point, color, and sweetness, regardless of the source from which it is isolated.
A mixture is composed of two or...
According to its composition, the matter can be classified into two broad categories — pure substances and mixtures.
A pure substance is a form of matter that has a constant composition throughout with uniform properties. For example, any sample of sucrose has the same composition and same physical properties, such as melting point, color, and sweetness, regardless of the source from which it is isolated.
A mixture is composed of two or...
90.4K
02:27Predicting Molecular Geometry
45.8K
VSEPR Theory for Determination of Electron Pair Geometries
45.8K
01:03Prediction Intervals
3.4K
The interval estimate of any variable is known as the prediction interval. It helps decide if a point estimate is dependable.
However, the point estimate is most likely not the exact value of the population parameter, but close to it. After calculating point estimates, we construct interval estimates, called confidence intervals or prediction intervals. This prediction interval comprises a range of values unlike the point estimate and is a better predictor of the observed sample value, y.
However, the point estimate is most likely not the exact value of the population parameter, but close to it. After calculating point estimates, we construct interval estimates, called confidence intervals or prediction intervals. This prediction interval comprises a range of values unlike the point estimate and is a better predictor of the observed sample value, y.
3.4K
03:02Organic Compounds
57.3K
All living things are formed mostly of carbon compounds called organic compounds. The category of organic compounds includes both natural and synthetic compounds that contain carbon. Although a single, precise definition has yet to be identified by the chemistry community, most agree that a defining trait of organic molecules is the presence of carbon as the principal element, bonded to hydrogen and other carbon atoms. However, some carbon-containing compounds such as carbonates, cyanides, and...
57.3K