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Updated: Jan 14, 2026
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Gelatin Methacryloyl Granular Hydrogel Scaffolds: High-throughput Microgel Fabrication, Lyophilization, Chemical Assembly, and 3D Bioprinting
Published on: December 9, 2022
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Gelatin Methacrylate Macroporous Cell Scaffold Fabrication via One-Pot Aqueous Two-Phase Separation.
Eya Ferchichi1, Samuel Stealey1, Adrienne Scott2
1Department of Biomedical Engineering, School of Science and Engineering, Saint Louis University, St Louis, Missouri, USA.
Summary
Researchers developed a rapid, one-pot method for creating gelatin methacrylate (GelMA) microgel scaffolds. This accessible technique efficiently forms cell-laden granular scaffolds in minutes, advancing biomedical applications.
Area of Science:
- Biomaterials Engineering
- Tissue Engineering
- Polymer Science
Background:
- Microgels offer advantages over bulk hydrogels for biomedical scaffolds.
- Conventional scaffold fabrication involves complex, multi-step processes.
- A need exists for streamlined, accessible methods for microgel scaffold production.
Purpose of the Study:
- To develop a simplified, one-pot method for fabricating microgel-based scaffolds.
- To create GelMA microgels and assemble them into macroporous scaffolds rapidly.
- To assess the biocompatibility and utility of the developed scaffolds for cell encapsulation.
Main Methods:
- Utilized aqueous two-phase separation (ATPS) to form ~2 μm GelMA microgels.
- Employed UV light-induced click chemistry for rapid scaffold assembly.
- Optimized parameters including salt concentration, photoinitiator, and polymer concentration.
Main Results:
- Achieved microgel formation and scaffold assembly in minutes using a one-pot approach.
- Fabricated mechanically stable, macroporous scaffolds with rapid water imbibition.
- Successfully encapsulated U-87 glioblastoma, NIH 3T3 fibroblasts, and ATDC5 chondrocytes with high viability (>90% for 14-21 days).
Conclusions:
- The developed one-pot method is robust, user-friendly, and broadly accessible.
- This technique enables rapid production of cell-laden granular scaffolds.
- The findings open new avenues for producing advanced cell-laden porous scaffolds for biomedical applications.
