Comparative diffusivity measurements for alginate-based atomized and inkjet-bioprinted artificial cells using fluorescence microscopy

Abstract

Radial diffusivity profiles of atomized (MC, d = 1800 ± 200 µm) and inkjet-printed (MI, d = 40 ± 5 µm) alginate-based artificial cells have been generated using 2D Fluorescence Microscopy. The passive outward diffusion of FITC-Dextrans from MIs (0.5% LV alginate/15% CaCl2 coated with 0.5% Chitosan) and MCs (1.5% MV alginate/1.5% CaCl2) was measured and quantified using a Fickian model. As an expected outcome of miniaturization, the ratios of the outer layer diffusivities defined as DMIout/DMCout were 4.25 and 5.07 respectively for the 4 and 70 kDa markers, indicative of the enhanced diffusive potential of the miniaturized capsules.