Open AccessFunctionalized Microgel Rods Interlinked into Soft Macroporous Structures for 3D Cell Culture
Author(s) -
Rommel Dirk,
Mork Matthias,
Vedaraman Sitara,
Bastard Céline,
Guerzoni Luis P. B.,
Kittel Yonca,
Vinokur Rostislav,
Born Nikolai,
Haraszti Tamás,
De Laporte Laura
Publication year - 2022
Publication title -
advanced science
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 5.388
H-Index - 100
ISSN - 2198-3844
DOI - 10.1002/advs.202103554
Subject(s) - glycidyl methacrylate , materials science , methacrylate , chemical engineering , adhesive , hydrophilization , acrylate , polymerization , polymer chemistry , surface modification , polymer , copolymer , nanotechnology , layer (electronics) , composite material , engineering
In this work, a two component microgel assembly using soft anisometric microgels that interlink to create a 3D macroporous construct for cell growth is reported. Reactive microgel rods with variable aspect ratio are produced via microfluidics in a continuous plug‐flow on‐chip gelation method by photoinitiated free‐radical polymerization of star‐polyethylene glycol‐acrylate with glycidyl methacrylate or 2‐aminoethyl methacrylate comonomers. The resulting complementary epoxy‐ and amine‐functionalized microgels assemble and interlink with each other via a ring opening reaction, resulting in macroporous constructs with pores up to several hundreds of micrometers. The level of crosslinking depends on the functionalization degree of the microgels, which also affects the stiffness and cell adhesiveness of the microgels when modified with the cell‐adhesive GRGDS‐PC peptide. Therefore, 3D spreading and growth of cells inside the macroporous structure is influenced not only by the presence of macropores but also by the mechanical and biochemical properties of the individual microgels.