One-Step Generation and Purification of Cell-Encapsulated Hydrogel Microsphere With an Easily Assembled Microfluidic Device

• DOI: 10.3389/fbioe.2021.816089
• Publication Date: 2022-01-28T08:35:36Z
• Authors: Tao Zhang; Hong Zhang; Wuping Zhou; Keming Jiang; Cong Liu; Ru Wang; Yuanshuai Zhou; Zhiqiang Zhang; Qian Mei; Wen-Fei Dong; Minxuan Sun; Haiwen Li
• Keywords: Spheroid; 3D cell culture; Oil droplet; Viability assay

Cell-laden hydrogel microspheres with uniform size show great potential for tissue repair and drug screening applications. Droplet microfluidic systems have been widely used the generation of cell-laden microspheres. However, existing droplet are mostly based on complex chips not compatible well culture plates. Moreover, produced by microfluidics need demulsification purification from oil, which requires time effort may compromise cell viability. Herein, we present a simple one-step approach producing purifying an easily assembled device. Droplets were generated solidified in device tubing. The obtained then transferred to plate filled media demulsified through evaporation oil at 37°C. removal caused gelled be released into media. encapsulated cells demonstrated good viability grew tumor spheroids 12-14 days. Single also grown spheroid 14 This microsphere method shows applications automated organoid cultures as screening, could potentially offer benefits translation cell/microgel technologies.