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Exploring the potential of all-aqueous immiscible systems for preparing complex biomaterials and cellular constructs
Raquel C Gonçalves1, Mariana B Oliveira1, João F Mano1
1Department of Chemistry, CICECO - Aveiro Institute of Materials, University of Aveiro, Campus Universitário de Santiago, 3810-193 Aveiro, Portugal. mboliveira@ua.pt.
Materials Horizons
|July 16, 2024
Summary
All-aqueous immiscible systems offer unique properties for biomaterials and tissue engineering. This review highlights strategies for developing complex biomaterials and cell structures using these advanced aqueous systems.
Area of Science:
- Biomaterials Science
- Tissue Engineering
- Biotechnology
Background:
- All-aqueous immiscible systems leverage liquid-liquid phase separation of hydrophilic agents.
- These systems exhibit low interfacial tension, high permeability, and non-toxic aqueous phases.
- They are increasingly utilized in biomedical applications and tissue engineering.
Purpose of the Study:
- To review properties and recent strategies for developing complex biomaterials using all-aqueous immiscible systems.
- To explore their potential in cell confinement for micropatterning and bioengineering cell-rich structures.
- To provide design considerations for researchers in this emerging field.
Main Methods:
- Literature review of recent strategies for biomaterial development.
- Analysis of properties of all-aqueous immiscible systems and interfaces.
- Evaluation of applications in cell patterning and tissue engineering.
Main Results:
- All-aqueous immiscible systems provide optimal qualities for hydrogels, membranes, and in vitro tissue development.
- Recent strategies enable the creation of biomaterials with enhanced complexity.
- These systems show promise for cell-confining environments and bioengineering applications.
Conclusions:
- All-aqueous immiscible systems are versatile platforms for advanced biomaterial design.
- Key design considerations are presented to guide future research.
- Future directions include enhanced biomimicry and novel applications in regenerative medicine.
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