Figure 4.

Directed assembly of cell-laden microgels within physical template. (A–D) Templated packing of glass beads (260 µm diameter) in microchannels (A) 2 mm, (B) 500 µm and (C) 250 µm wide. The beads are most ordered when confined to the narrowest channels. Templated assembly of gel modules containing three differently labeled groups of cells (D). (E) Microgel arrangement and assembly by a micromanipulator. Rhodamine (red) and FITC (green) stained cells are encapsulated in separate HA microgels and subsequently arranged in an alternating checkerboard pattern. (F–H) HepG2 cells encapsulated collagen modular units are coated with a confluent layer of endothelial cells and packed inside a perfused chamber (F). The resultant tissue assembly consists of interconnected cellular modules (G–H) which are perfusable and non-coagulative due to endothelialization.