Cell Direct Assembly Technology Adopting Hybrid of Gelatin-Based Hydrogels

Abstract

Through analyzing cell direct assembly process requirements and existing hydrogel materials properties, employing the discrete/deposit rapid prototyping technique, developed a cell direct assembly technology adopting the hybrid of gelatin-based hydrogels. The cell assembly technology skillfully combined with the sol/gel transition mechanism about chemical and physical crosslink of gelatin-based hydrogels, in consideration of the main forming factors, through controlling the extruded materials rheological properties and optimizing the forming process, thereby achieved a promising assembling process with high cell survival rate and its corresponding biological viability. The technology can form a predefined three-dimensional structure with certain shape and size, suitable for variety of natural polymer materials (the most similar with extracellular matrix, such as fibrin, sodium alginate, chitosan, hyaluronic acid) with gelatin coupling forming; therefore, it satisfied majority cells needs of choosing the gelatin-based composite hydrogels reasonably. With the limitative extrusion pressure, more than 90% of the cells survived through this process and performed metabolic functions during a long term culture. This technology is a front research of biotechnology manufacturing science, is an important expansion of manufacturing technology.