Tridimensional alginate disks of tunable topologies for mammalian cell encapsulation.
- Resource Type
- Article
- Authors
- Suarez-Arnedo, Alejandra; Narváez, Diana M.; Sarmiento, Paula; Bocanegra, Laura; Salcedo, Felipe; Muñoz-Camargo, Carolina; Groot, Helena; Cruz, Juan C.
- Source
- Analytical Biochemistry. Jun2019, Vol. 574, p31-33. 3p.
- Subject
- *ALGINIC acid
*GELATION
*ALGINATES
*TOPOLOGY
*HYDROGELS
- Language
- ISSN
- 0003-2697
Abstract We have developed a protocol to produce three-dimensional matrices based on alginate hydrogels for mammalian cell encapsulation. Based on the gelation properties of this polysaccharide, we implemented a calcium ion-based diffusion method where the designed hydrogels can be obtained with well-defined mechanical properties and replicable 3D topologies. The developed protocol can be extended to different types of alginates and an ample range of concentrations. This makes it very attractive for various biomedical applications where strict control over structure-function relationships is desirable. Highlights • A novel protocol for the production of alginate hydrogels for cell encapsulation. • Cell viability is maintained during the allotted incubation time as hydrogel gelation proceeds. • Alginate solutions can be molded into intricate 3D topologies of varying sizes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]