title: Poly(ethylene glycol) hydrogel microstructures encapsulating living cells.
abstract: We present an easy and effective method for the encapsulation of cells inside PEG-based hydrogel microstructures fabricated using photolithography. High-density arrays of three-dimensional microstructures were created on substrates using this method. Mammalian cells were encapsulated in cylindrical hydrogel microstructures of 600 and 50 micrometers in diameter or in cubic hydrogel structures in microfluidic channels. Reducing lateral dimension of the individual hydrogel microstructure to 50 micrometers allowed us to isolate 1-3 cells per microstructure. Viability assays demonstrated that cells remained viable inside these hydrogels after encapsulation for up to 7 days.
authors.affiliation: Department of Chemical Engineering, The Pennsylvania State University, University Park, Pennsylvania 16802-4400, USA.
authors.forename: Won-Gun
authors.initials: WG
authors.lastname: Koh
authors.forename: Alexander
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Revzin
authors.forename: Michael V
authors.initials: MV
authors.lastname: Pishko
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D001672:Biocompatible Materials; D015374:Biosensing Techniques / Q000295:instrumentation*; D001709:Biotechnology; D002460:Cell Line; D002470:Cell Survival; D002478:Cells, Cultured; D005347:Fibroblasts / Q000737:chemistry* / Q000166:cytology; D020100:Hydrogels / Q000737:chemistry*; D051379:Mice; D011092:Polyethylene Glycols / Q000737:chemistry*; D014466:Ultraviolet Rays
chemical_list: D001672:Biocompatible Materials; D020100:Hydrogels; D011092:Polyethylene Glycols