The microalga Volvox carteri as a cell supportive building block for tissue engineering

Area of Science:

• Biomaterials Science
• Tissue Engineering
• Regenerative Medicine

Background:

• *V. carteri f. nagariensis* forms cellular spheroids stabilized by an extracellular matrix (ECM).
• The algal ECM provides structure and cell adhesive properties for tissue engineering applications.

Purpose of the Study:

• To develop a modular approach for soft tissue engineering using *V. carteri*.
• To assess the biocompatibility and regenerative potential of *V. carteri* for tissue augmentation.

Main Methods:

• Compact stacking of *V. carteri*-based building blocks.
• In vitro biocompatibility testing, including cytocompatibility and inflammatory response assessment.
• In vivo subcutaneous tissue augmentation in athymic mice.

Main Results:

• *V. carteri* demonstrated in vitro cytocompatibility and promoted histogenesis without inducing inflammation.
• The alga induced stem-cell-like phenotypes in fibroblasts and directed differentiation of stem cells into adipocytes.
• In vivo studies confirmed *V. carteri*'s ability to support tissue regeneration and augmentation.

Conclusions:

• *V. carteri* is presented as a novel biomaterial for tissue engineering and soft tissue regeneration.
• Its unique properties offer potential for designing next-generation bio-inspired heterogeneous biomaterials.
• The study highlights *V. carteri*'s capacity to guide tissue regeneration.