Work

A pattern and lock strategy integrating acoustic patterning and hydrogel crosslinking for stable cell architectures

Year: 2025

Type: article

Abstract: Cell patterning technology faces critical limitations in dynamic control, biocompatibility, and structural stability for reconstructing native tissues. Here, we establish an acoustic-hydrogel integration strategy that overcomes these challenges through synergistic physical-biological programming. Experimental validation using particle/red blood cells-patterned hydrogels demonstrated exceptional structural stability under physiological conditions. Fiber-optic spectroscopic sensing technology enabled long-term monitoring of the ex vivo deoxygenation process in patterned red blood cells. The "pattern-and-lock" paradigm fundamentally resolves the stability-biocompatibility trade-off by decoupling acoustic manipulation from hydrogel curing. Its translational significance spans precision transfusion platforms for red blood cells functionality screening and label-free microtissue models capturing dynamic metabolic processes. By converging acoustic programmability with hydrogel biofunctionality, this work provides a scalable biomanufacturing platform validated for next-generation tissue models and clinical diagnostics.

Source: Scientific Reports

DOI: 10.1038/s41598-025-16296-8

Authors: Chenghao Sun, Boxiao Xu, Liang Huang, Wenzhen Zhang

Institutions: Wenzhou Medical University, Second Affiliated Hospital & Yuying Children's Hospital of Wenzhou Medical University, Hangzhou City University, Hefei University of Technology

Language: English

Topic: 3D Printing in Biomedical Research

Subfield: Biomedical Engineering

Field: Engineering

Domain: Physical Sciences

Open Access status: gold

Estimated APC paid: $2,690

Funder: Fundamental Research Funds for the Central Universities