Figure 3.

Approaches in building the next generation of 3D islet niche. (A) Schematic of different types of 3D hydrogels for culturing islets. [A-(i)] Bioinert hydrogels that are naturally non-adhesive to islets. [A-(ii)] Functionalized bioinert hydrogels with the incorporation of cell adhesion ligands and growth factors. [A-(iii)] Hydrogels with soluble ECM. They could be made either using singular or complementary sets of ECM molecules. [A-(iv)] Multi-component decellularized 3D hydrogels with extensive adhesion capabilities to the islets. (B) Fundamental features of islet microphysiological systems (MPS). [B-(i)] Housing islets within a 3D space require the orchestration of several parameters. [B-(ii)] Various MPS schemes for housing islets with hydrogels and other cells/tissue types. [C (i-iv)] Different types of islet entrapment schemes using architectural design. Various accessories needed for culturing islets within the MPS are also visualized. Illustration not drawn to scale.