Microgel Fabrication via Extrusion Fragmentation of GG-based Hydrogels: Improving the microstructure for 3D cell culture
Year: 2024
Type: dissertation
Abstract: Hydrogels are used in cell culture as synthetic extracellular matrix structures since have several benefits such as the ability to biomimic natural extracellular matrix and the capability of transportation of oxygen, waste, and nutrients. Traditionally, hydrogels have been used in cell culture in cross-linked bulk form. However, due their nanoporous structure bulk hydrogels do not allow cells migrate or remodel in their immediate environment without degrading the hydrogel. Bulk hydrogels typically lack injectability, which limits their application potential. To address the drawbacks of bulk hydrogels microgels could be used. Microgels are micro-sized hydrogel particles that can be assembled together into a jammed state creating granular hydrogels. These microgels structures provide more void space between particles which creates significantly more opportunities for cells to remodel in their immediate environment. Jammed microgels also demonstrate shear-thinning and self-healing properties, which makes them useful for applications requiring injectability, such as 3D printing and wound healing. In this thesis two different types of hydrogel materials, gelaCDH-GGox and gelaADH-GGox were used to fabricate extrusion fragmented microgels. The microgel particles’ area and perimeter was measured. Both hydrogel materials were used in cell culture as bulk hydrogel and microgel form. The aim was to compare cell growth and proliferation between the two hydrogel materials used and more importantly, between bulk hydrogels and extrusion fragmented hydrogels. As for the results the extrusion fragmented microgels performed well in cell culture since they exhibited more tissue-like properties when compared to bulk hydrogels. Jammed microgels allowed more void space for the cells to remodel in their immediate environment. Both hydrogel materials exhibited similar and favorable results when fragmented into microgels for cell culture applications. Extrusion fragmentation proved to be simple yet effective method to create microgel particles for cell culture applications. However, extrusion fragmentation produced jagged polygon-shaped particles that varied from their shape and size which could lead to limited modification capability for further applications. Still, extrusion fragmented microgel particles have great potential for various applications such as cell culture, 3D-bioprinting and wound healing.
Author: Peltonen, Samuel
Institutions: Tampere University, University of Tampere
Language: English
Subfield: Molecular Medicine
Domain: Life Sciences
Open Access status: green
OpenAlex ID: W7132998408