Stem Cell Spheroids and Microgels Producing Curved Tissue

This rendering consists of stem cell aggregates (spheroids, gold) and non-degradable (grey) or degradable (red) microgels that are mixed together, then bonded together to prevent disassembly with visible light and spatially layered to bend the stable structure into a final curved position. Stem cell spheroids exert contractile forces (inward) when they fuse with other spheroids. The microgels act as physical barriers preventing complete collapse. We engineer the degradable microgels in a way that they slowly degrade and allow fusion without collapse. When layering non-degradable and degradable microgels, a imbalance in stress at the interface causes bending. The rate and ratio of degradable microgels can control overall curvature as new tissue being created by the cells permanently locks the structure in place after a month.

Publication: https://doi.org/10.1126/sciadv.adq5011