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Multichannel Multijunction Droplet Microfluidic Device to Synthesize Hydrogel Microcapsules with Different Core-Shell
Qiong Wu1, Xing Huang2,3,4, Ran Liu1,5,6
1Center for Modern Physics Technology, School of Mathematics and Physics, University of Science and Technology Beijing, Beijing 100083, China.
Langmuir : the ACS Journal of Surfaces and Colloids
|November 22, 2023
Summary
We developed a novel microfluidic technique to create versatile core-shell hydrogel microcapsules. These adaptable microcapsules are promising for drug delivery and screening applications.
Area of Science:
- Biomaterials Science
- Microfluidics
- Drug Delivery Systems
Background:
- Core-shell hydrogel microcapsules offer significant potential in medicine, pharmaceuticals, and cosmetics.
- Current synthesis methods are often complex and costly, hindering practical applications.
Purpose of the Study:
- To design and fabricate microfluidic devices for efficient synthesis of core-shell hydrogel microcapsules.
- To explore different cross-linking methods for creating diverse microcapsule structures.
- To demonstrate the stimuli-responsive and controlled release capabilities of the synthesized microcapsules.
Main Methods:
- Utilized soft lithography to create multichannel, multifunctional droplet microfluidic devices.
- Employed ultraviolet (UV) cross-linking to synthesize gelatin methacryloyl (GelMA) core/polyacrylamide (PAM) shell microcapsules.
- Implemented interfacial polymerization for GelMA core/alginate-polyethylenimine (PEI) shell microcapsules, controlling dimensions via device carving.
Main Results:
- Successfully synthesized various core-shell hydrogel microcapsules with tunable sizes.
- Demonstrated stimuli-responsiveness and controlled release properties.
- Developed a novel, adaptable technique for microcapsule fabrication.
Conclusions:
- The developed microfluidic approach enables effective synthesis of diverse core-shell hydrogel microcapsules.
- These microcapsules facilitate coassembly of cells and drugs for synergistic therapies.
- The adaptable microcapsules show promise for multi-drug/cell delivery and high-throughput drug screening.
