Geometrically Controlled Liquefied Capsules for Modular Tissue Engineering Strategies

Area of Science:

• Biomaterials Science
• Tissue Engineering
• Biofabrication

Background:

• Bioinspired cell-laden hydrogels are explored for complex tissue structures.
• Limited molecular diffusion in 3D bioengineered systems hinders cell survival and implantation success.

Purpose of the Study:

• To develop a high-throughput fabrication method for liquefied capsules to address diffusion limitations.
• To create complex, hierarchical bioengineered systems with enhanced biomolecule exchange efficiency.

Main Methods:

• Utilized superhydrophobic-superhydrophilic microarrays for high-throughput fabrication of liquefied capsules.
• Designed capsules with permselective multilayered membranes and functionalized microparticles for cell adhesion.
• Employed an internal gelation approach for cell encapsulation.

Main Results:

• Achieved high-fidelity fabrication of spherical and multi-shaped liquefied capsules.
• Demonstrated efficient production with high geometrical precision.
• Confirmed that the encapsulation process preserves cell viability.

Conclusions:

• The proposed method enables the fabrication of cell-laden liquefied capsules with improved biomolecule exchange.
• This technique supports the creation of complex, hierarchical structures for tissue engineering.
• The developed hybrid devices are suitable for minimally invasive implantation in various tissue regeneration applications.