title: Density gradients at hydrogel interfaces for enhanced cell penetration.
abstract: We report that stiffness gradients facilitate infiltration of cells through otherwise cell-impermeable hydrogel interfaces. By enabling the separation of hydrogel manufacturing and cell seeding, and by improving cell colonization of additively manufactured hydrogel elements, interfacial density gradients present a promising strategy to progress in the creation of 3D tissue models.
authors.affiliation: Laboratory of Biosensors and Bioelectronics, Institute for Biomedical Engineering, University and ETH Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland.
authors.forename: B R
authors.initials: BR
authors.lastname: Simona
authors.forename: L
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Hirt
authors.forename: L
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Demkó
authors.forename: T
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Zambelli
authors.forename: J
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Vörös
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Ehrbar
authors.forename: V
authors.initials: V
authors.lastname: Milleret
mesh_terms: D001672:Biocompatible Materials / Q000737:chemistry*; D002448:Cell Adhesion / Q000187:drug effects; D018929:Cell Culture Techniques; D020100:Hydrogels / Q000737:chemistry*
chemical_list: D001672:Biocompatible Materials; D020100:Hydrogels